History

The French Wars of Religion: Christian History Timeline

CH Timeline

In this series

1555 Peace of Augsburg in Germany allows rulers to choose religion for their region

1555 First Protestant Church in Paris organized in a home

1556 Philip II named king of Spain

1558 Elizabeth I becomes queen of England

1559 First national synod of Reformed Churches of France

1559 John Calvin made a citizen of Geneva

1560 Protestant Conspiracy of Amboise to kidnap king of France fails

1561 Anti-Protestant edict begins to drive refugees from France

1562-1563 First War

1562 Forces of Duke of Guise massacre Protestants at Vassy

1563 Treaty of Amboise ends First War

1563 Council of Trent closes

1564 Calvin dies

1567-1568 Second War

1568-1570 Third War

1568 Treaty of Longjumeau ends Second War

1569 Peace of St. Germain ends Third War

1572-1573 Fourth War

1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

1574 Truce ends Fourth War

1574 Charles IX (right) dies; Henri III (left) becomes king of France

1576 Fifth War

1576 Pro-Protestant Peace of Monsieur signed

1576 Militant Catholic League forms

1577 Sixth War

1577 Sixth War ended by slightly restrictive Peace of Bergerac

1580 Seventh War

1580 Treaty of Nerac and Peace of Fleix end Seventh War

1584 Duke of Anjou dies; Henri of Navarre becomes heir to French throne

1588 Henri III forced to surrender to Guises and Catholic League

1588 English navy defeats Spanish Armada

1589 Henri III stabbed, names Henri of Navarre his successor

1589 Catherine de Médicis dies

1593 Henri IV converts to Catholicism

1598 Edict of Nantes returns civil and religious freedom to Protestants

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Also in this series

Our Latest

Inside the Ministry

The Next Generation Is Ready. Are We?

See how CT is investing in the next generation of the Church—and how you can, too.

The CDC Listened to Vaccine-Hesitant Moms in My Living Room

I was surprised to find myself hosting an off-the-record chat with people worlds apart on public health. But I hope that night was a seed of something new.

The Russell Moore Show

Listener question: Why Aren’t Christians Engaging in Humanitarian Aid?

Russell takes a listener’s question about the crisis of humanitarian aid and why Christians are not stepping in to help.

New Archbishop of Canterbury Steps into Anglican Divides

Conservatives call on Sarah Mullally, the first woman at the spiritual helm of the Church of England, to uphold biblical faith amid same-sex blessings debate.

News

FDA Approves Generic Abortion Pill

Students for Life leader calls the move “a stain on the Trump presidency.”

News

John Cornyn’s MAGA-land Challenge

The incumbent senator is up against his strongest challenge yet in populist-right leader Ken Paxton.

Fighting Korea’s Loneliness Epidemic with Cafés and Convenience Stores

Seoul recently introduced free public services to tackle social isolation. Christians have been doing that for years.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube