CALVINISM AND RELIGIOUS TOLERATION IN FRANCE AND THE NETHERLANDS, 1555-1609 by David L. Robinson Bachelor of Arts, Memorial University of Newfoundland (Sir Wilfred Grenfell College), 2011 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Graduate Academic Unit of History Supervisor: Gary K. Waite, PhD, History Examining Board: Cheryl Fury, PhD, History, UNBSJ Sean Kennedy, PhD, Chair, History Gary K. Waite, PhD, History Joanne Wright, PhD, Political Science This thesis is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK May, 2011 ©David L. 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Canada ABSTRACT The similarities and connections between the French Wars of Religion and the Dutch Revolt have long been understood by historians. However, despite recognition of these similarities, there has been very little comparative study of the two regions. This thesis compares the Calvinist relationship to the changing views toward and practice of religious toleration within the two regions in an effort to understand how the varying political circumstances affected this religious reform movement. The first chapter outlines the historiography of both regions giving some background on the development of the French and Dutch Calvinist Reformations. The second chapter focuses on French Calvinism showing an increasing support of religious toleration for Roman Catholics as the religious civil wars dragged on, at least until peace could be established allowing for a continuation of Calvinist reformation. Chapter three notes a similar pattern in the Netherlands until around 1580 when Calvinists, who were now favoured with state church status in the northern rebel provinces, abandoned advocacy of toleration for Catholics while seeking to bring about further reformation. However, because of the presence of numerous religious minorities such as the Mennonites, and the reluctance of the government to persecute most religious dissenters, the Dutch Calvinists largely accepted their position in the multi-confessional society of the United Provinces (membership in the national Reformed Church was not compulsory). The final chapter explains the similarities and differences in the two Calvinist movements concluding that Calvinism proved to be very adaptable in its views of toleration. Their views were determined by their political circumstances. To achieve their ultimate goal of complete reformation, the Calvinists were sometimes advocates of toleration, and sometimes opponents. Table of Contents ABSTRACT......................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents................................................................................................................ iv Chapter 1: Introduction.........................................................................................................1 Chapter 2: Calvinism and Religious Toleration in France 1559-1598.............................. 43 The Conspiracy of Amboise, the Colloquy of Poissy, and the First Civil Wars: 1559- 1572 ................................................................................................................................ 48 The French Calvinists and Religious Toleration after 1572..........................................68 Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 94 Chapter 3: Calvinism in a multi-confessional Society: Dutch Calvinists and Religious Toleration 1566-1609 ........................................................................................................ 96 Spanish Tyranny, Papal Inquisition, and Civil War, 1566-1584...................................98 Calvinists, Magistrates, and the Religious Other in the Early United Provinces 1572- 1609...............................................................................................................................121 Conclusion....................................................................................................................142 Chapter 4: Calvinism and Religious Toleration in Comparative Perspective.................147 Bibliography.....................................................................................................................170 Primary Sources:...........................................................................................................170 Secondary Sources:.......................................................................................................172 Curriculum Vitae Chapter 1: Introduction The 1998 Hollywood filmElizabeth opens with a graphic scene of the execution of three Protestants during the reign of the English Queen Mary. Although the film is riddled with historical inaccuracies, this opening scene is reflective of the common perception of early-modern Europe as rampant with religious intolerance. Certainly there is much truth to this perception, but, as is usually the case with history, the reality of things is more nuanced. Recently, some historians have noted the varying degrees of religious toleration, or peaceful co-existence of multiple religious communities, practiced across Europe in the early-modern period.1 Naturally, the practice of religious tolerance varied from region to region, and thus a comparative look at different contexts in which religious tolerance arose is informative of the conditions which promoted such toleration or, conversely, discouraged it. France and the Netherlands are regions particularly suitable to a comparative approach since both countries experienced rapid Calvinist reformation, prolonged civil wars, and a resulting debate over the issue of religious toleration. In both cases the Calvinist goal of complete reformation became intertwined with political struggles creating religiously divided political factions resulting in long-lasting civil wars. In both cases, neither the Catholics nor Protestants were able to decisively defeat their opponent. 1 Perhaps the most notable example being, Benjamin Kaplan,Divided By Faith: Religious Conflict and the Practice o f Toleration in Early Modem Europe (Cambridge, Mass., 2007). 1 Calvinists have often been portrayed both popularly and scholarly as deeply intolerant of other religious beliefs, and deviant social behaviour.2 However, through an examination of the writings of several Dutch and French Calvinists (or Huguenots as they were often known in France), it becomes clear that Reformed Christians held a variety of opinions regarding the desirability of peaceful co-existence with other religious groups. What united the Calvinists was their goal of complete reformation along Calvinist lines. Such a goal appears to leave no room for acceptance of religious toleration. Nevertheless, as a result of the changing political circumstances, French and Dutch Calvinists often did become committed proponents of toleration of other beliefs when it was consistent with their ultimate goal of reformation. Similarly, conformity to Calvin’s complicated views on toleration occurred only when political circumstances allowed it. The evidence used for this thesis comes from a variety of French and Dutch pamphlets spanning the period between 1SS9 and 1609. Because a research trip to Europe was not feasible, a major factor in the selection of these pamphlets was their availability. However, an effort was made to ensure that the pamphlets were representative of the development of Calvinist thought on religious toleration. This was done through selection