The French Wars of Religion 1559-1598 (Seminar Studies In History)

In the second half of the sixteenth century, France was racked by religious civil wars and peace was only restored when Henry of Navarre finally converted to Catholicism, deciding - in his immortal phrase - that 'Paris is worth a mass'.In this lucid introduction to a complex period in French history, Robert Knecht:Explains the evangelical and Lutheran origins of the Huguenot Church in FranceChallenges simplistic interpretations of the religious conflict as purely a cloak for political rebellionProvides concise analysis of the wars themselves and the ferment of political ideas which they generatedEvaluates the extent of France’s recovery under Henry IV This third edition has been updated throughout to take account of the latest scholarship, particularly on the Massacre of St.Bartholomew and the reign of Henry III when the monarchy almost succumbed to the challenge posed by the Catholic League.There is a new colour plate section and the main text is supported by a full glossary of terms,