The First French War of Religion (2 April 1562 – 19 March 1563) was the opening civil war of the French Wars of Religion. The war began when in response to the massacre of Wassy by the duc de Guise (duke of Guise), the prince de Condé seized Orléans on 2 April. Over the next several months negotiations would take place between the Protestant rebels (led by Condé and admiral Coligny) and the royal (largely Catholic) party led by queen Catherine, the king of Navarre, duc de Guise, marshal Saint-André and Constable Montmorency. While the main royal and rebel armies were in discussions, open fighting erupted across the kingdom, with rebel Protestants seizing many of the kingdom's principal cities, and restless Catholics massacring Protestants.
Huguenot Jean de Poltrot assassinates French General Duke François de Guise with a shot from his pistol
The First French War of Religion (2 April 1562 – 19 March 1563) was the opening civil war of the French Wars of Religion.
Historical Significance
The First French War of Religion (2 April 1562 – 19 March 1563) was the opening civil war of the French Wars of Religion.
Events Before
Jean Ribault and colonists arrive in Florida, the first French colonists in North America
Jean Ribault (also spelled Ribaut) (1520 – October 12, 1565) was a French naval officer, navigator, and a colonizer of what would become the southeastern United States.
The Council of Trent is reopened by Pope Pius IV for its third (and final) session
The Council of Trent (Latin: Concilium Tridentinum), held between 1545 and 1563 in Trent (or Trento), in northern Italy, was the 19th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church.
Blood bath at Vassy: Francois de Guise's troops open fire on Huguenot congregation, first event in Wars of Religion
Blood bath at Vassy: Francois de Guise's troops open fire on Huguenot congregation, first event in Wars of Religion
Kissing in public is banned in Naples and is punishable by death
Kissing in public is banned in Naples and is punishable by death
General Francois de Guise enters Paris
General Francois de Guise enters Paris
Events After
The Council of Trent issued its conclusions in the Tridentinum, establishing a distinction between Roman Catholicism and
The Council of Trent issued its conclusions in the Tridentinum, establishing a distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism
Influential politician Cardinal Granvelle flees Brussels
Influential politician Cardinal Granvelle flees Brussels
England and France sign the Treaty of Troyes
England and France sign the Treaty of Troyes
(-31st) The first battle of Öland (between the islands of Gotland and Öland): Lübeck & Denmark beat Sweden
(-31st) The first battle of Öland (between the islands of Gotland and Öland): Lübeck & Denmark beat Sweden
Robert Dudley becomes Earl of Leicester
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester (24 June 1532 – 4 September 1588) was an English statesman and the favourite of Elizabeth I from her accession until his death.
More from the 1560s
Battle of Talikota: The Deccan Sultanates destroy Vijayanagar's army and the last Hindu kingdom of Southern India
The Deccan sultanates is a historiographical term referring to five medieval Indian Persianate Muslim kingdoms on the Deccan Plateau between the Krishna River and the Vindhya Range.
The Council of Trent issued its conclusions in the Tridentinum, establishing a distinction between Roman Catholicism and
The Council of Trent issued its conclusions in the Tridentinum, establishing a distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism
Spanish King Philip II (10) marries Elisabeth of Valois (13), daughter of Henry II of France
Henry II (French: Henri II; 31 March 1519 – 10 July 1559) was King of France from 1547 until his death in 1559.
Treaty of Adrianople: Representatives of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II and Ottoman Sultan Selim II agree to a peace p
Treaty of Adrianople: Representatives of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II and Ottoman Sultan Selim II agree to a peace plan ending the war between the Habsburg monarchy and the Ottoman Empire; Maximilian agrees to provide a cash "present" and ruling authority is granted to the Ottomans in Transylvan
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on February 18, 1563?
- The First French War of Religion (2 April 1562 – 19 March 1563) was the opening civil war of the French Wars of Religion. The war began when in response to the massacre of Wassy by the duc de Guise (duke of Guise), the prince de Condé seized Orléans on 2 April. Over the next several months negotiations would take place between the Protestant rebels (led by Condé and admiral Coligny) and the royal (largely Catholic) party led by queen Catherine, the king of Navarre, duc de Guise, marshal Saint-André and Constable Montmorency.
- Why is Huguenot Jean de Poltrot assassinates French General Duke François de Guise w... significant?
- The First French War of Religion (2 April 1562 – 19 March 1563) was the opening civil war of the French Wars of Religion.