The Huguenots

Evangelicals persecuted by the French state

he Protestant in the two stormy centuries of persecution, T16th century changed the face the great majority of them had been of Europe, including . At one driven from their native land. When point, evangelical Protestants (known given the opportunity, these loyal and as Huguenots) made up ten per cent hard-working citizens made a great of the population of France,1 and contribution to France, and also in the close to half the nobility.2 But after countries to which they fled.3 The story of the Huguenots encourages Christians in our day to “seek the peace of the city” in which they live. However, despite being model citizens, their religious liberty gave way to persecution – a timely warning not to take civic freedoms for granted.

 ‘Emigration of the Huguenots, 1566’ by Jan Antoon Neuhuys MARGUERITE Growth and persecution OF NAVARRE

The sister of King , Marguerite, was unusually gifted and beautiful – and deeply committed to the Protestant faith. She used Fleeing Huguenots welcomed by -elector of Brandenburg- her position as Queen of Navarre (a territory in he renewed study of the were burned at the stake. Many south-west France) TBible during the Renaissance others were tortured or sent as to give refuge helped prepare the way for the slaves to galley ships, or fled to to those fleeing Protestant Reformation. At its neighbouring countries.7 persecution.14 core, the reformers rediscovered Despite this, the reformed During her reign the ’s teaching that in France kept growing.8 (1525-1549), the salvation is a gift of God’s free The joyful witness of those poor of Navarre grace. The reformed church willing to suffer for their faith were well educated, spread quickly in Europe. In attracted many others into the the sick and needy France it gained ground despite church. Crowds were amazed to were cared for, and vicious persecution from the see men, women – even children agriculture and authorities.4 – singing as they faced a good administration In Europe it horrible death.9 flourished.15 was usual for a country to Into this context, Protestant tolerate only one religion. So, came from in Catholic France, Protestants to teach and nurture were viewed as disloyal. The new congregations. About 88 prestigious Sorbonne University entered France in the late 1550s demanded the execution of and early .10 Amazingly, these ‘heretics’.5 And in 1534 there were about 2,000 that is what King Francis I reformed churches in France by decreed, after a protest against 156111 – comprising about ten the Roman Catholic mass that per cent of the population.12 even some reformers saw as The Huguenots were overly provocative.6 persecuted despite being known This first wave of persecution as loyal and economically was fierce. Some Protestants productive citizens.13 Queen Marguerite

Huguenots 1517 1523 1534 history: Luther wrote his ‘95 Jean Vallière became Intense persecution theses’ the first Protestant following the Key dates martyr in France ‘placards’ incident Massacres and resistance

some Huguenot leaders to take up arms in protection of their families and communities.17 Civil war dragged on for over thirty years.18 The most brutal atrocity was the infamous St Bartholomew’s Day massacre of August 1572.19 Just prior to this there had been a welcome lull in hostilities, and the leading Huguenot nobles had all been invited to Paris to witness the wedding of the Huguenot St Bartholomew’s Day massacre Henry of Navarre and the Catholic Princess Margaret.20 Their union was intended to n the death of the King Henry II in 1559, symbolise peace. Oreal power in France passed to the Shortly after the wedding, however, it nobility, many of whom had, by that time, seems that the Catholic regent of France, become Protestant. Political influence was Catherine de Medici, ordered the assassination precariously balanced between the Roman of the Huguenot leader, Admiral Coligny. But Catholic and the Protestant the plot failed and Coligny was only wounded. .16 Catherine feared revenge and so, as a pre- In January 1562, increased Huguenot emptive strike, the order was issued to kill the influence helped secure a royal granting Huguenots in Paris and elsewhere. The order limited religious toleration. But the hope of was brutally executed (the river Seine ran red even greater freedom was dashed by the with their blood). Estimates of deaths range outbreak of civil war that same year. A series between 10,000 and 20,000.21 of massacres, (for example 63 Huguenots Civil war flared up once more, with Henry were killed at Vassy in 1562), prompted of Navarre leading the Huguenot forces.22

CONSTITUTIONAL RESISTANCE

In response to the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre, a number of Huguenots wrote powerful critiques of absolutist monarchy. In 1579A Defence of Liberty against Tyrants argued that a king must observe the laws of God and of his country. Lesser magistrates operating under a tyrant could legitimately curb his actions. Such Huguenot works contributed to the development in Britain of the 23 idea of a constitutional monarchy limited by a representative parliament. Critique: ‘Vindiciae contra tyrannos’

1541 1555 1559 1562 settled in First formally After the death of Limited freedom Geneva constituted French Henry II, nobles granted to the two Reformed Church became more million people in powerful. Up to half reformed churches in of them protected France. Huguenots. 2m THE DUKE OF , 1598 SULLY

France had been devastated economically by the civil war and the Huguenot contribution was a key factor in national recovery. King Henry IV famously vowed to ensure that every peasant in France would be able to afford a chicken in the pot (poule au pot) every Sunday.32 Helped Registration of the Edict of Nantes by the Parliament of Paris by his chief adviser, the Duke of Sully, a remarkable transformation took place. n 1589 the Huguenot The Edict of Nantes Sully, a Huguenot, was a Ileader Henry of Navarre provided an interlude gifted financier, engineer, (Henry IV) succeeded of freedom in which agriculturalist, military adviser to the throne.24 To gain Huguenots were able to and politician. He organised a the support of Paris, he actively participate in programme of works to build converted to Catholicism society.29 Their industry, the infrastructure of France: in 1593.25 Famously, he agriculture and trade bridges, roads, hospitals, is supposed to have said: prospered. They became schools, fortifications, and ‘Paris is worth a mass’.26 leaders in the textile, a canal system. To liberate Henry didn’t forget his old paper, iron and printing commerce, he abolished road friends, the Huguenots. In industries, and were tolls and created a national 1598 he issued the Edict famous for beautiful postal service. Sully ended of Nantes, which secured designs and craftsmanship, the policy of deforestation rights for Protestants and often travelling abroad and ordered the planting gave strong guarantees to learn new techniques. of thousands of trees.33 He that they would be Many Huguenots became promoted new agricultural respected.27 leading lawyers, doctors methods and oversaw projects Most people in France, and writers.30 Later in the which some say almost sickened by the brutality 17th century, Louis XIV’s doubled the area of productive of civil war, welcomed government minister farmland. Sully sponsored new the new settlement. For Colbert described them industrial techniques, and two major faiths to be as ‘the thriftiest, most organised the rebuilding of officially tolerated within hard-working, and most Paris.34 He encapsulated the one country was a historic intelligent of the King’s Huguenot virtues of hard work, development for Europe.28 subjects’.31 enterprise and loyalty.

1562 1572 1598 1610 A massacre of Massacre of St The Edict of Nantes Assassination of Huguenots at Vassy Bartholomew's Day granted toleration Henry IV triggered civil war for Huguenots Tyranny and the end of toleration

When Henry IV was assassinated in 1610, the Louis XIV famously regarded himself as ‘The Huguenots were immediately vulnerable. The fall Sun King’. He was supposed to have declared: of , the main Huguenot city, in 1628 ‘One faith, one law, one king’.37 He regarded the marked the loss of their political influence.35 But Huguenots as an affront to his absolute rule, during the long reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715) and made life increasingly difficult for them, their situation became much worse, culminating eventually engaging in a policy of outright in the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.36 persecution.38

THE ESCALATION OF PERSECUTION – LITTLE BY LITTLE

1. Re-education. Books were published arguing 6. Religious discrimination. Huguenot pastors that France should only have one religion. were accused under blasphemy laws and were Priests were sent out to win back Protestants eventually forbidden to preach. Churches and on their deathbeds.39 schools were torn down.44

2. Inducements to conform. From 1676 people 7. Intrusion into the family. Children not were offered financial incentives to ‘convert baptised into the could be back’ to Catholicism. Within three years the removed from their parents and raised as number of certified ‘converts’ had reached Catholics, once they reached the age of seven.45 10,000.40 8. Armed violence. From 1681, armed forces 3. Repressive restrictions. Huguenots were were billeted with Protestant families. Violence only allowed to bury their dead at night, and no was encouraged to force conversion.46 more than twelve were to meet for a wedding.41 9. Emigration forbidden and enslavement 4. Suppression of education. Huguenot schools practised. Many fled France. But those caught were banned from teaching all but the bare trying to escape or refusing to convert to minimum of reading and writing.42 Catholicism were often sent to the galleys.47

5. Banned from certain professions. Huguenots 10. Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. By were forbidden to become lawyers, for 1685 Louis XIV claimed that there weren’t example, and a Huguenot woman could not any Huguenots left so there was no need become a draper.43 for toleration. All Protestant worship was forbidden.48

1628 1643 1681 1685 Fall of La Rochelle, a Louis XIV accedes to The policy of the Revocation of the Huguenot city the throne Edict of Nantes, commenced many Huguenots flee France Huguenots flee: France’s loss, our gain

Jean Claude (1619-1687), a Many managed to 50,000; another 10,000 fled to Huguenot pastor exiled to flee from France at this time, .52 Large numbers settled the Netherlands, said that including skilled silversmiths, in London as well as places like persecution in France was an weavers, linen workers, Barnstaple, Bristol, , attempt at “making Religion to lacemakers, and clockmakers.50 Dover, Exeter, , Rye, depend on the King’s pleasure, Their craftsmanship was Southampton, Winchester and on the will of a Mortal Prince”.49 highly valued by surrounding north-east England.53 In East He praised the compassion of countries, and they were Anglia, Huguenot refugees foreign princes who welcomed known as model citizens.51 helped drain and reclaim the refugees. England welcomed at least 40,000 acres of fenland.54

LESSONS FOR TODAY

The Huguenots were absolutely committed to an evangelical biblical faith. The early years of fierce persecution and Tower of Constance the massacre of St Bartholomew’s Day forced them into careful reflection on the question of just resistance. Their ONGOING PERSECUTION writings contributed significantly to the development of constitutional democracy IN FRANCE in the UK and the USA.58 When they were tolerated in France, If you visit the French town Aigues Mortes the Huguenots proved themselves to you can still see the Tower of Constance, be hard-working and loyal citizens. The where, after the revocation of the Edict renewal of harsh persecution ultimately of Nantes, Huguenot women were meant economic and cultural loss for imprisoned if they refused to deny their France, as well as a corresponding benefit faith.55 Many of them suffered for years for surrounding countries, including Britain. in terrible conditions rather than recant. Today in the , some are Marie Durand was only a teenager when pushing for a ‘toleration’ that, effectively, she was imprisoned in 1730. She remained means ‘forcing everyone to believe the steadfast in her faith for 38 years, and same thing’. In fact, that is just another kind spent that time encouraging and helping of tyranny. True toleration means allowing her fellow prisoners.56 It is believed that people freedom of conscience, religion, she inscribed the word ‘Resister’ on the speech and assembly. And that is good for prison wall, which can still be seen today.57 all of us.

References available at christian.org.uk/huguenots-ref

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