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History of the Rise of the Huguenots

by Henry Martyn Baird

4 of 16 · Contents · Download EPUB

Contents Of

Volume First

BOOK I.
CHAPTER I
Page
France in the Sixteenth Century 3
Extent at the Accession of Francis I.3
Gradual Territorial Growth 4
Subdivision in the Tenth Century 5
Destruction of the Feudal System 5
The Foremost Kingdom of Christendom 6
Assimilation of Manners and Language 8
Growth and Importance of Paris 9
Military Strength 10
The Rights of the People overlooked 11
The States General not convoked 12
Unmurmuring Endurance of the Tiers État 13
Absolutism of the Crown 14
Partial Checks 15
The Parliament of Paris 16
Other Parliaments 17
The Parliaments claim the Right of Remonstrance 17
Abuses in the Parliament of Bordeaux 19
Origin and Growth of the University 20
Faculty of Theology, or Sorbonne 22
Its Authority and Narrowness 23
Multitude of Students 24
Credit of the Clergy 25
Liberties of the Gallican Church 25
Pragmatic Sanction of. St. Louis (1268)26
Conflict of Philip the Fair with Boniface VIII.27
The “Babylonish Captivity”28
Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges (1438)29
Rejoicing at the Council of Basle 31
Louis XI. undertakes to abrogate the Pragmatic Sanction 32
But subsequently re-enacts it in part 33
Louis XII. publishes it anew 35
Francis I. sacrifices the Interests of the Gallican Church 35
Concordat between Leo X. and the French King 36
Dissatisfaction of the Clergy 37
Struggle with the Parliament of Paris 37
Opposition of the University 39
Patronage of the King 41
The “Renaissance”41
Francis’s Acquirements overrated 42
His Munificent Patronage of Art 42
The Collége Royal, or “Trilingue”43
An Age of Blood 44
Barbarous Punishment for Crime 45
And not less for Heresy 46
Belief in Judicial Astrology 47
Predictions of Nostradamus 47
Reverence for Relics 49
For the Consecrated Wafer 50
Internal Condition of the Clergy 51
Number and Wealth of the Cardinals 51
Non-residence of Prelates 52
Revenues of the Clergy 52
Vice and Hypocrisy 53
Brantôme’s Account of the Clergy before the Concordat 54
Aversion to the Use of the French Language 56
Indecent Processions—“Processions Blanches”59
The Monastic Orders held in Contempt 60
Protests against prevailing Corruption 61
The “Cathari,” or Albigenses 61
Nicholas de Clemangis 63
John Gerson 64
Jean Bouchet’s “Deploration of the Church”65
———
Changes in the Boundaries of France during the 16th Century 66
CHAPTER II.
1512-1525.
The Reformation in Meaux 67
Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples 67
Restores Letters to France 68
Wide Range of his Studies 68
Guillaume Farel, his Pupil 68
Devotion of Teacher and Scholar 69
Lefèvre publishes a Latin Commentary on the Pauline Epistles (1512)70
Enters into Controversy with Natalis Beda (1518)71
The Sorbonne’s Declaration (Nov. 9, 1521)71
Briçonnet, Bishop of Meaux 72
His First Reformatory Efforts 72
Invites Lefèvre and Farel to Meaux 73
Effects of the Preaching of Roussel and others 74
De Roma’s Threat 76
Lefèvre publishes a Translation of the New Testament (1523)77
The Results surpass Expectation 79
Bishop Briçonnet’s Weakness 80
Forbids the “Lutheran” Doctors to preach 81
Lefèvre and Roussel take Refuge in Strasbourg 84
Jean Leclerc whipped and branded 87
His barbarous Execution at Metz 88
Pauvan burned on the Place de Grève 89
The Hermit of Livry 92
Briçonnet becomes a Jailer of “Lutherans”92
Lefèvre’s Writings condemned by the Sorbonne (1525)93
He becomes Tutor of Prince Charles 94
Librarian at Blois 94
Ends his Days at Nérac 95
His Mental Anguish 95
Michel d’Arande and Gérard Roussel 96
CHAPTER III.
1523-1525.
Francis I. and Margaret of Angoulême—Early Reformatory Movements and Struggles 99
Francis I. and Margaret of Angoulême 99
The King’s Chivalrous Disposition 100
Appreciates Literary Excellence 101
Contrast with Charles V.101
His Religious Convictions 102
His Fear of Innovation 102
His Loose Morality 103
Margaret’s Scholarly Attainments 104
Her Personal Appearance 105
Her Participation in Public Affairs 106
Her First Marriage to the Duke of Alençon 106
Obtains a Safe-Conduct to visit her Brother 106
Her Second Marriage, to Henry, King of Navarre 107
Bishop Briçonnet’s Mystic Correspondence 108
Luther’s Teachings solemnly condemned by the University 108
Melanchthon’s Defence 109
Regency of Louise de Savoie 109
The Sorbonne suggests Means of extirpating the “Lutheran Doctrines” (Oct. 7, 1523)110
Wide Circulation of Luther’s Treatises 112
François Lambert, of Avignon 112
Life among the Franciscans 113
Lambert, the first French Monk to embrace the Reformation 113
He is also the First to Marry 114
Jean Châtellain at Metz 114
Wolfgang Schuch at St. Hippolyte 115
Farel at Montbéliard 117
Pierre Caroli lectures on the Psalms 118
———
The Heptameron of the Queen of Navarre 119
CHAPTER IV.
1525-1533.
Increased Severity—Louis de Berquin 122
Captivity of Francis I.122
Change in the Religious Policy of Louise 123
A Commission appointed to try “Lutherans”124
The Inquisition heretofore jealously watched 125
The Commission indorsed by Clement VII.126
Its Powers enlarged by the Bull 128
Character of Louis de Berquin 128
He becomes a warm Partisan of the Reformation 129
First Imprisonment (1523)130
Released by Order of the King 130
Advice of Erasmus 131
Second Imprisonment (1526)131
Francis from Madrid again orders his Release 132
Dilatory Measures of Parliament 132
Margaret of Angoulême’s Hopes 133
Francis violates his Pledges to Charles V.134
Must conciliate the Pope and Clergy 135
Promises to prove himself “Very Christian”137
The Council of Sens (1528)138
Cardinal Duprat 138
Vigorous Measures to suppress Reformation 139
The Councils of Bourges and Lyons 139
Financial Help bought by Persecution 140
Insult to an Image and an Expiatory Procession 141
Other Iconoclastic Excesses 143
Berquin’s Third Arrest 143
His Condemnation to Penance, Branding, and Perpetual Imprisonment 145
He Appeals 145
Is suddenly Sentenced to Death and Executed 146
Francis Treats with the Germans 147
And with Henry VIII. of England 148
Francis meets Clement at Marseilles 148
Marriage of Henry of Orleans to Catharine de’ Medici 148
Francis Refuses to join in a general Scheme for the Extermination of Heresy 149
Execution of Jean de Caturce, at Toulouse 150
Le Coq’s Evangelical Sermon 151
Margaret attacked at College of Navarre 152
Her “Miroir de l’Ame Pécheresse” condemned 152
Rector Cop’s Address to the University 153
Calvin, the real Author, seeks Safety in Flight 154
Rough Answer of Francis to the Bernese 155
Royal Letter to the Bishop of Paris 156
———
Elegies on Louis de Berquin 157
CHAPTER V.
1534-1535.
Melanchthon’s Attempt at Conciliation, and the Year of the Placards 159
Hopes of Reunion in the Church 159
Melanchthon and Du Bellay 160
A Plan of Reconciliation 160
Its Extreme Concessions 161
Makes a Favorable Impression on Francis 162
Indiscreet Partisans of Reform 162
Placards and Pasquinades 163
Féret’s Mission to Switzerland 164
The Placard against the Mass 164
Excitement produced in Paris (Oct. 18, 1534)167
A Copy posted on the Door of the Royal Bedchamber 167
Anger of Francis at the Insult 167
Political Considerations 168
Margaret of Navarre’s Entreaties 168
Francis Abolishes the Art of Printing (Jan. 13, 1535)169
The Rash and Shameful Edict Recalled 170
Rigid Investigation and many Victims 171
The Expiatory Procession (Jan. 21, 1535)173
The King’s Speech at the Episcopal Palace 176
Constancy of the Victims 177
The Estrapade 177
Flight of Clément Marot and others 179
Royal Declaration of Coucy (July 16, 1535)179
Alleged Intercession of Pope Paul III.180
Clemency again dictated by Policy 181
Francis’s Letter to the German Princes 182
Sturm and Voré beg Melanchthon to come 182
Melanchthon’s Perplexity 183
He is formally invited by the King 184
Applies to the Elector for Permission to go 184
But is roughly refused 185
The Proposed Conference reprobated by the Sorbonne 187
Du Bellay at Smalcald 188
He makes for Francis a Protestant Confession 189
Efforts of French Protestants in Switzerland and Germany 191
Intercession of Strasbourg, Basle, etc.191
Unsatisfactory Reply by Anne de Montmorency 193
CHAPTER VI.
1535-1545.
Calvin and Geneva—More Systematic Persecution by the King 193
Changed Attitude of Francis 193
Occasioned by the “Placards”194
Margaret of Navarre and Roussel 195
The French Reformation becomes a Popular Movement 196
Independence of Geneva secured by Francis 197
John Calvin’s Childhood 198
He studies in Paris and Orleans 199
Change of Religious Views at Bourges 199
His Commentary on Seneca’s “De Clementia”200
Escapes from Paris to Angoulême 201
Leaves France 202
The “Christian Institutes”202
Address to Francis the First 203
Calvin wins instant Celebrity 204
The Court of Renée of Ferrara 205
Her History and Character 206
Calvin’s alleged Visit to Aosta 207
He visits Geneva 208
Farel’s Vehemence 209
Calvin consents to remain 210
His Code of Laws for Geneva 210
His View of the Functions of the State 210
Heretics to be constrained by the Sword 211
Calvin’s View that of the other Reformers 212
And even of Protestant Martyrs 212
Calvin longs for Scholarly Quiet 213
His Mental Constitution 214
Ill-health and Prodigious Labors 214
Friendly and Inimical Estimates 214
Violent Persecutions throughout France 216
Royal Edict of Fontainebleau (June 1, 1540)218
Increased Severity, and Appeal cut off 218
Exceptional Fairness of President Caillaud 219
Letters-Patent from Lyons (Aug. 30, 1542)220
The King and the Sacramentarians 221
Ordinance of Paris (July 23, 1543)221
Heresy to be punished as Sedition 222
Repression proves a Failure 222
The Sorbonne publishes Twenty-five Articles 223
Francis gives them the Force of Law (March 10, 1543)224
More Systematic Persecution 224
The Inquisitor Mathieu Ory 224
The Nicodemites and Libertines 225
Margaret of Navarre at Bordeaux 226
Francis’s Negotiations in Germany 227
Hypocritical Representations made by Charles, Duke of Orleans 228
CHAPTER VII.
1545-1547.
Campaign against the Vaudois of Mérindol and Cabrières, and Last Days of Francis I.230
The Vaudois of the Durance 230
Their Industry and Thrift 230
Embassy to German and Swiss Reformers 232
Translation of the Bible by Olivetanus 233
Preliminary Persecutions 234
The Parliament of Aix 235
The Atrocious “Arrêt de Mérindol” (Nov. 18, 1540)236
Condemned by Public Opinion 237
Preparations to carry it into Effect 237
President Chassanée and the Mice of Autun 238
The King instructs Du Bellay to investigate 239
A Favorable Report 240
Francis’s Letter of Pardon 241
Parliament’s Continued Severity 241
The Vaudois publish a Confession 242
Intercession of the Protestant Princes of Germany 242
The new President of Parliament 243
Sanguinary Royal Order, fraudulently obtained (Jan. 1, 1545)244
Expedition stealthily organized 245
Villages burned—their Inhabitants murdered 246
Destruction of Mérindol 247
Treacherous Capture of Cabrières 248
Women burned and Men butchered 248
Twenty-two Towns and Villages destroyed 249
A subsequent Investigation 251
“The Fourteen of Meaux”253
Wider Diffusion of the Reformed Doctrines 256
The Printer Jean Chapot before Parliament 256
CHAPTER VIII.
1547-1559.
Henry the Second and the Organization of the French Protestant Churches 258
Impartial Estimates of Francis the First 258
Henry, as Duke of Orleans 259
His Sluggish Mind 260
His Court 261
Diana of Poitiers 262
The King’s Infatuation 262
Constable Anne de Montmorency 263
His Cruelty 264
Disgraced by Francis, but recalled by Henry 265
Duke Claude of Guise, and John, first Cardinal of Lorraine 266
Marriage of James the Fifth of Scotland to Mary of Lorraine 268
Francis the Dauphin affianced to Mary of Scots 268
Francis of Guise and Charles of Lorraine 268
Various Estimates of Cardinal Charles of Lorraine 270
Rapacity of the new Favorites 272
Servility toward Diana of Poitiers 273
Persecution to atone for Moral Blemishes 274
“La Chambre Ardente”275
Edict of Fontainebleau against Books from Geneva (Dec. 11, 1547)275
Deceptive Title-pages 275
The Tailor of the Rue St. Antoine 276
Other Victims of Intolerance 278
Severe Edicts and Quarrels with Rome 278
Edict of Châteaubriand (June 27, 1551)279
The War against Books from Geneva 280
Marshal Vieilleville refuses to profit by Confiscation 282
The “Five Scholars of Lausanne”283
Interpositions in their Behalf ineffectual 284
Activity of the Canton of Berne 286
Progress of the Reformation in Normandy 287
Attempt to establish the Spanish Inquisition 287
Opposition of Parliament 288
President Séguier’s Speech 289
Coligny’s Scheme of American Colonization 291
Villegagnon in Brazil 292
He brings Ruin on the Expedition 293
First Protestant Church in Paris 294
The Example followed in the Provinces 296
Henry the Second breaks the Truce 297
Fresh Attempts to introduce the Spanish Inquisition 298
Three Inquisitors-General 299
Judges sympathize with the Victims 300
Edict of Compiègne (July 24, 1557)301
Defeat of St. Quentin (August 10, 1557)302
Vengeance wreaked upon the Protestants 302
Affair of the Rue St. Jacques (Sept. 4, 1557)303
Treatment of the Prisoners 304
Malicious Rumors 305
Trials and Executions 307
Intercession of the Swiss Cantons and Others 308
Constancy of Some and Release of Others 311
Controversial Pamphlets 311
Capture of Calais (January, 1558)312
Registry of the Inquisition Edict 312
Antoine of Navarre, Condé, and other Princes favor the Protestants 313
Embassy of the Protestant Electors 313
Psalm-singing on the Pré aux Clercs 314
Conference of Cardinals Lorraine and Granvelle 315
D’Andelot’s Examination before the King 317
His Constancy in Prison and temporary Weakness 318
Paul IV.’s Indignation at the King’s Leniency 320
Anxiety for Peace 321
Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis (April 3, 1559)322
Sacrifice of French Interests 323
Was there a Secret Treaty for the Extermination of Protestants?324
The Prince of Orange learns the Designs of Henry and Philip 325
Danger of Geneva 320
Parliament suspected of Heretical Leanings 329
The “Mercuriale”330
Henry goes in Person to hear the Deliberations (June 10, 1559)332
Fearlessness of Du Bourg and Others 334
Henry orders their Arrest 335
First National Synod (May 26, 1559)335
Ecclesiastical Discipline adopted 336
Marriages and Festivities of the Court 338
Henry mortally wounded in the Tournament (June 30, 1559)339
His Death (July 10, 1559)340
———
“La Façon de Genève”—the Protestant Service 341
Farel’s “Manière et Fasson” (1533)342
Calvin’s Liturgy (1542)343
CHAPTER IX.
July, 1559-May, 1560.
Francis the Second and the Tumult of Amboise 346
Epigrams on the Death of Henry 346
The Young King 347
Catharine de’ Medici 348
Favors the Family of Guise 350
Who make themselves Masters of the King 351
Constable Montmorency retires 352
Antoine, King of Navarre 354
His Remissness and Pusillanimity 355
The Persecution continues 359
Denunciation and Pillage at Paris 360
The Protestants address Catharine 362
Pretended Orgies in “La Petite Genève”365
Cruelty of the Populace 366
Traps for Heretics 367
Trial of Anne du Bourg 368
Intercession of the Elector Palatine 370
Du Bourg’s Last Speech 371
His Execution and its Effect 372
Florimond de Ræmond’s Observations 374
Revulsion against the Tyranny of the Guises 375
Calvin and Beza discountenance Armed Resistance 377
De la Renaudie 379
Assembly of Malcontents at Nantes 380
Plans well devised 381
Betrayed by Des Avenelles 382
The “Tumult of Amboise”383
Coligny gives Catharine good Counsel 384
The Edict of Amnesty (March, 1560)385
A Year’s Progress 386
Confusion at Court 387
Treacherous Capture of Castelnau 388
Death of La Renaudie 389
Plenary Commission given to the Duke of Guise 389
A Carnival of Blood 391
The Elder D’Aubigné and his Son 393
Francis and the Prince of Condé 393
Condé’s Defiance 394
———
An alleged Admission of Disloyal Intentions by La Renaudie 394
CHAPTER X.
May-December, 1560.
The Assembly of Notables at Fontainebleau, and the Close of the Reign of Francis the Second 397
Rise of the Name of the Huguenots 397
Their Sudden Growth 399
How to be accounted for 400
Progress of Letters 400
Marot’s and Beza’s Psalms 402
Morality and Martyrdom 402
Character of the Protestant Ministers 402
Testimony of Bishop Montluc 403
Preaching in the Churches of Valence 404
The Reformation and Morals 406
Francis orders Extermination 406
Large Congregations at Nismes 407
Mouvans in Provence 407
A Popular Awakening 408
Pamphlets against the Guises 409
Catharine consults the Huguenots 409
Edict of Romorantin (May, 1560)410
No Abatement of Rigorous Persecution 411
Spiritual Jurisdiction differing little from the Inquisition 411
Chancellor Michel de l’Hospital 412
Continued Disquiet—Montbrun 414
Assembly of Notables at Fontainebleau (Aug. 21, 1560)415
The Chancellor’s Address 416
The Finances of France 416
Admiral Coligny presents the Petitions of the Huguenots 416
Bishop Montluc ably advocates Toleration 418
Bishop Marillac’s Eloquent Speech 420
Coligny’s Suggestions 421
Passionate Rejoinder of the Duke of Guise 422
The Cardinal of Lorraine more calm 423
New Alarms of the Guises 424
The King of Navarre and Condé summoned to Court 425
Advice of Philip of Spain 426
Navarre’s Irresolution embarrasses Montbrun and Mouvans 427
The “Fashion of Geneva” embraced by many in Languedoc 428
Elections for the States General 430
The King and Queen of Navarre 431
Beza at the Court of Nérac 432
New Pressure to induce Navarre and Condé to come 433
Navarre Refuses a Huguenot Escort 434
Disregards Warnings 435
Is refused Admission to Poitiers 435
Condé arrested on arriving at Orleans 436
Return of Renée de France 437
Condé’s Intrepidity 437
He is Tried and Condemned to Death 439
Antoine of Navarre’s Danger 440
Plan for annihilating the Huguenots 441
Sudden Illness and Death of Francis the Second 442
———
The “Epître au Tigre de la France”445
CHAPTER XI.
December, 1560-September, 1561.
The Reign of Charles the Ninth, to the Preliminaries of the Colloquy of Poissy 449
Sudden Change in the Political Situation 449
The Enemy of the Huguenots buried as a Huguenot 450
Antoine of Navarre’s Opportunity 451
Adroitness of Catharine de’ Medici 452
Financial Embarrassments 453
Catharine’s Neutrality 453
Opening of the States General of Orleans 454
Address of Chancellor L’Hospital 455
Cardinal Lorraine’s Effrontery 457
De Rochefort, Orator for the Noblesse 457
L’Ange for the Tiers État 458
Arrogant Speech of Quintin for the Clergy 458
A Word for the poor, down-trodden People 459
Coligny presents a Huguenot Petition 461
The States prorogued 461
Meanwhile Prosecutions for Religion to cease 462
Return of Fugitives 463
Charles writes to stop Ministers from Geneva 463
Reply of the Genevese 464
Condé cleared and reconciled with Guise 465
Humiliation of Navarre 466
The Boldness of the Particular Estates of Paris 467
Secures Antoine more Consideration 467
Intrigue of Artus Désiré 468
General Curiosity to hear Huguenot Preaching 468
Constable Montmorency’s Disgust 469
The “Triumvirate” formed 471
A Spurious Statement 471
Massacres of Protestants in Holy Week 474
The Affair at Beauvais 474
Assault on the House of M. de Longjumeau 476
New and Tolerant Royal Order 476
Opposition of the Parisian Parliament 477
Popular Cry for Pastors 479
Moderation of the Huguenot Ministers 479
Judicial Perplexity 481
The “Mercuriale” of 1561 481
The “Edict of July”483
Its Severity creates extreme Disappointment 484
Iconoclasm at Montauban 485
Impatience with Public “Idols”487
Calvin endeavors to repress it 487
Re-assembling of the States at Pontoise 488
Able Harangue of the “Vierg” of Autun 489
Written Demands of the Tiers État 490
A Representative Government demanded 492
The French Prelates at Poissy 493
Beza and Peter Martyr invited to France 494
Urgency of the Parisian Huguenots 496
Beza comes to St. Germain 497
His previous History 497
Wrangling of the Prelates 498
Cardinal Châtillon communes “under both Forms”499
Catharine and L’Hospital zealous for a Settlement of Religious Questions 499
A Remarkable Letter to the Pope 500
Beza’s flattering Reception 502
He meets the Cardinal of Lorraine 503
Petition of the Huguenots respecting the Colloquy 505
Informally granted 507
Last Efforts of the Sorbonne to prevent the Colloquy 508
CHAPTER XII.
September, 1561-January, 1562.
The Colloquy of Poissy and the Edict of January 509
The Huguenot Ministers and Delegates 509
Assembled Princes in the Nuns’ Refectory 510
The Prelates 511
Diffidence of Theodore Beza 512
Opening Speech of Chancellor L’Hospital 512
The Huguenots summoned 513
Beza’s Prayer and Address 514
His Declaration as to the Body of Christ 519
Outcry of the Theologians of the Sorbonne 519
Beza’s Peroration 520
Cardinal Tournon would cut short the Conference 521
Catharine de’ Medici is decided 522
Advantages gained 522
The Impression made by Beza 522
His Frankness justified 524
The Prelates’ Notion of a Conference 526
Peter Martyr arrives 527
Cardinal Lorraine replies to Beza 528
Cardinal Tournon’s new Demand 529
Advancing Shadows of Civil War 530
Another Session reluctantly conceded 531
Beza’s Reply to Cardinal Lorraine 532
Claude d’Espense and Claude de Sainctes 532
Lorraine demands Subscription to the Augsburg Confession 533
Beza’s Home Thrust 534
Peter Martyr and Lainez the Jesuit 536
Close of the Colloquy of Poissy 537
A Private Conference at St. Germain 538
A Discussion of Words 540
Catharine’s Premature Delight 541
The Article agreed upon Rejected by the Prelates 541
Catharine’s Financial Success 543
Order for the Restitution of Churches 544
Arrival of Five German Delegates 544
Why the Colloquy proved a Failure 546
Catharine’s Crude Notion of a Conference 547
Character of the Prelates 547
Influence of the Papal Legate, the Cardinal of Ferrara 548
Anxiety of Pius the Fourth 548
The Nuncio Santa Croce 549
Master Renard turned Monk 551
Opposition of People and Chancellor 551
The Legate’s Intrigues 552
His Influence upon Antoine of Navarre 554
Contradictory Counsels 555
The Triumvirate leave in Disgust 556
Hopes entertained by the Huguenots respecting Charles 557
Beza is begged to remain 559
A Spanish Plot to kidnap the Duke of Orleans 559
The Number of Huguenot Churches 560
Beza secures a favorable Royal order 560
Rapid Growth of the Reformation 561
Immense Assemblages from far and near 562
The Huguenots at Montpellier 563
The Rein and not the Spur needed 565
Marriages and Baptisms at Court “after the Geneva Fashion”565
Tanquerel’s Seditious Declaration 566
Jean de Hans 567
Philip threatens Interference in French Affairs 567
“A True Defender of the Faith”568
Roman Catholic Complaints of Huguenot Boldness 570
The “Tumult of Saint Médard”571
Assembly of Notables at St. Germain 574
Diversity of Sentiments 575
The “Edict of January”576
The Huguenots no longer Outlaws 577

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