POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN FRANCE 1560-1572 AD

The French kings tried to issue decrees that guaranteed freedom of religious belief between Catholics and Protestants and the participation of all in the political process.They called for the formation of national religious groups so that neither party would be forced to use killing against the other sect.Because the Catholics were not convinced that the Protestants should be granted freedom to practice their beliefs, many military skirmishes took place between the two parties, which led to the Protestant leaders taking control of several cities in southern France.However, the French royal army succeeded in regaining control of these cities after the Battle of Tours.To put an end to these wars, Catherine de Medici, the regent of the French throne, issued a decree announcing a complete amnesty for the crimes committed by both parties, the release of prisoners, and the signing of the Peace of Amboise.Because of Catherine's bias towards Catholicism, a sectarian war broke out between the two parties on St. Bartholomew's Day, August 24, 1572.It was considered one of the bloodiest massacres in European history and did not end until a military campaign was launched against the cities that rebelled against the state's policy and a royal decree was issued allowing Protestants to freely practice their beliefs.