Rapid Growth Of Protestantism Essay

The rapid growth of Protestantism in France in the 1550's threatened Catholics, and they declared all Protestants to be heretics. During this time, people believed that famine and plagues were a form of God's divine punishment. Catholics blamed the heretics living among them for God's wrath.

By the year 1562, it was clear that suppression enforced by Kings Henry II and Francis II had not worked in favor of the Catholics. The brother of Francis, Charles IX, ascended to the throne after his death. The Queen Mother Catherine de Medici served as his regent, handling all of the conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Along with Catherine, the Guise family supported the Catholic cause, especially since Marie de Guise's daughter Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was married to Francis II. Important noble families such as the Bourbons and Albrets

Much of the violent fighting broke out in the streets, rather than in formal battle like most wars.

In 1572, over 2,000 French Protestants were killed mercilessly by Catholics in Paris, hence the name St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 Protestants total were murdered, as other mass killings happened sporadically in neighboring towns when people heard of the events in Paris. The massacres of Protestant people ended the growth of Protestantism in France. Many Huguenots converted to Catholicism out of fear.

The Holy Catholic League was formed by the Guise family shortly after Francis, Duke of Anjou died in 1584. King Henry III was childless, so the next heir to the throne after his younger brother Francis died was Henry of Navarre. Henry was Protestant, and this greatly disturbed the French. The Catholic League managed to have Henry III declare Protestantism illegal in France to keep Henry off the throne. The little rights the Huguenots had thanks to Catherine were gone with the stroke of Henry's