Henry IV of France and the Politics of Religion 1572 - 1596, Volume 1 & 2

N. M. Sutherland

• Publisher: Intellect Books
• Year: 2002
• Print ISBN: 9781841508467
• eBook ISBN: 9781841508436
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: History of Religion

Henry IV's conversion to catholicism in 1593 and Papal absolution in 1595 were traversed by multiple problems and difficulties. These religious events were inseparable from concurrent political, diplomatic and military issues. The subject is therefore examined both within its civil war background and the wider, European context. This treatment is original, not least in its comprehensive coverage of the Papal dimension. Until now, the role of the Papacy has been consistently misinterpreted, while the manner in which the absolution was ultimately achieved has been known only through sketchy and misleading summaries. Volume I covers the period 1572-1589, ending with the murder of Henry III. This act of regicide precipitated the accession of Henry IV during a period of civil war. Volume II covers the remaining years 1589-1596, from Henry's accession to his abjuration and coronation, the end of the war with the Catholic League, the declaration of war with Spain in 1595 and, finally, the negotiation in Rome of his absolution. This fresh account of certain aspects of the life and career of Henry of Navarre makes a substantial contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the history of western Europe in the later sixteenth century, and of France in particular. It will be useful to scholars, research students and teachers, and may also be enjoyed by informed general readers.

INDEX

Material in the introduction and footnotes has not been indexed.

Page numbers from 267 relate to volume II.

Albert, of Austria, archduke: to succeed Ernest, 553; to marry the infanta, 553; caused alarm in Rome, 581; landed in Genoa, 584; arrived in Brussels, 590; attacked Picardy, 590

Aldobrandini, cardinal, secretary of state to Clement VIII: and d’Ossat, 543, 555–6, 558–60, 582

Aldobrandini, Gian-Francesco, nephew of Clement VIII: extraordinary nuncio to Spain, 552–3, 559; carried two commissions, 552–3; is disregarded, 553; returned from Spain, 573

Alegria, Gabriel de, secretary to Tassis: sent by Parma to Mayenne, 237

Alençon, duc d’: see Anjou

Amboise, edict of, March 1563: 27

Andrésy: peace conference at, 517

Androgne, seigneur d’: sent to England, 1583, 55

Angennes, Claude d’, de Rambouillet, bishop of Mans 1588: sent to Rome, 244–6, 253, 257, 500–1; quit Rome, 260; assisted with the abjuration, 492

Anjou, François, duc d’Alençon, duc d’, 1576: 14; and the huguenots, 14–15; negotiations with queen Elizabeth, 14–15, 35; and the Netherlands, 15, 31–6, 41, 45, 46–9, 54, 56–7, 58, 64–5, 71–2; his coalition, 1573, 15; escaped from court 1575, 15, 28; manifesto of 1573, 15; and the peace of Monsieur, 16–17; relations with the Guises, 19, 32–3, 58, 60, 65; death, 10 June 1584, 65, 70, 103–4

Aragon, cardinal, president of the French congregation: advised Sixtus V, 323, 339; defended Mayenne, 327

Armada, the Spanish: 118, 134, 142; correlation of with French affairs, 145, 166, 170, 176; failure of, 223

Arques, battle of, 21 September 1589: 276, 278

Aumale, Charles de Lorraine, duc d’: seized towns in Picardy 1587, 142–3, 146, 167, 169–70; and Boulogne, 143, 173; ordered out of Picardy, 171; sent to Paris, 175; warned the king, 227; governor of Paris, 231

Aumont, Jean d’, marshal 1579: 185

Badoer, Alberto, Venetian ambassador in Rome: reported on Caetani, 308–9; and Sixtus V, 309, 319, 328, 330–1, 335–6; favoured Navarre, 310, 331, 336; and the Spanish, 314, 320–4, 331; reported on Luxembourg, 314; lamented the death of Sixtus V, 339; criticised Gregory XIV, 380

Barricades, the day of, 12 May 1588: 166, 179–88

Beaulieu, edict of, May 1576: see Monsieur, peace of

Beaune, Renaud de, de Semblançay, archbishop of Bourges, almoner to Henry IV: favoured a patriarchate, 389; his role at Suresnes, 463, 468–9, 477–9; reported on the conference, 479–80; directed the chapel royal, 489; devised Henry’s abjuration, 491–2

Beauvoir la Nocle, Jean de la Fin, seigneur de, French ambassador in England: sent to seek an alliance, 275; his instructions, 400–1; his flawed negotiation, 401, 404–6, 410–12, 413; protested to the queen, 421; pleaded for help, 455

Bec, Philippe du, bishop of Nantes: assisted with Henry’s abjuration, 492, 494

Bellièvre, Pomponne de, ‘surintendant des finances’: attended the assembly of Montauban, 69; at Blois, 1584, 75; and the Dutch commissioners, 81–2, 90; remonstrated with Guise, 146; received evasive replies, 146; sent to fetch Guise, 147; sent to Guise, 8 March 1588, 169; returned empty handed, 170; went to Soissons, 171; returned again, 175; sent back to Guise, 177; returned, 177–9; went to the Louvre, 180; mediated with Guise, 185–6; consulted by Villeroy, 437; plotted the recovery of Paris, 531

Benoît, René, ‘curé’ of Saint-Eustache, confessor to Henry IV: instructed the king, 400; attended the assembly at Mantes, 490

Bergerac, Association of, November 1585: its purpose, 125–6; called for a council, 126, 129; ideals undermined, 133

Bergerac, peace of, September 1577: 31, 36

Birague, René de, chancellor 1573, cardinal 1578: Guisard, 18

Biron, Armand de Gontaut, baron de, marshal 1577: 185; self-seeker 269; undependable, 341; went to Normandy, 365; at Buhy, 367; favoured a siege of Rouen, 401; commanded to prepare the siege, 408; injured, 422; died, 429

Blois: 24, 64, 69, 75; see also Estates-general

Bonciani, Tuscan agent: feared schism, 542; in touch with Villeroy, 545; condemned delays, 564, and the bull of absolution, 588

Bongars, Jacques de, seigneur de Bauldry et la ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Chapter VIII: The Accession of Henry IV, August 1589
• Chapter IX: Henry IV and Pope Sixtus V
• Chapter X: The Importance of Paris
• Chapter XI: The Hostile Papacy, Gregory XIV
• Chapter XII: The Rouen Campaign, 1591-2
• Chapter XIII: The Problem of Conversion
• Chapter XIV: The Conversion of Henry IV
• Chapter XV: Henry IV and Rome
• Chapter XVI: The King’s Absolution
• Appendix
• Bibliography
• Index