Henry IV Grants Tolerance: Edict of Nantes Signed
Henry IV of France signed the Edict of Nantes on April 13, 1598, ending 36 years of religious civil war that had killed over three million French people. The edict granted Huguenots freedom of worship in specified towns, access to all public offices, and control of over 100 military strongholds as a guarantee of their safety. Henry himself had converted from Protestantism to Catholicism to secure the throne, reportedly saying "Paris is well worth a Mass." The edict was remarkably progressive for its era but always fragile. Louis XIV revoked it in 1685 with the Edict of Fontainebleau, triggering the exodus of 200,000 Huguenots. These refugees brought their skills in textile manufacturing, silversmithing, and watchmaking to England, the Netherlands, Prussia, and South Africa.
April 13, 1598
428 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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