Christian Europe—Early Modern France
1560 to 1715
Amboise Conspiracy to Spanish Succession Wars
Era Summary Characters Timeline Reading Assignments
Characters—Early Modern France
| Character/Date | Short Biography | |
|---|---|---|
The Three Henries | ||
| Henry III 1551-1589 | Fourth son of Henry II and Catherin de Medici. Quarreled with Henry of Guise, and took the side of Protestant Henry Navarre during "War of the Three Henrys". | |
| Henry IV 1553-1610 | Protestant King of Navarre who ascended to the throne of France after converting to Catholicism. As king issued 'Edict of Nantes' decreeing religious toleration of Huguenots. | |
| Henry of Guise 1550-1588 | Founded the Catholic League to block the throne from Huguenot Henry Navarre. Quarreled with Henry III. | |
Kings of France and England | ||
| Louis XIII 1601-1643 | Reigned for 33 years, but early reign was dominated by Italian 'favorites' of his mother Maria de Medici, and late reign was dominated by Cardinal Richelieu. | |
1638–1715 |
French King who expanded the borders of France, and lived in great pomp and splendor. | |
Queens and Mistresses | ||
1573–1642 |
Queen of Henry IV, and regent following his assassination. | |
| Madame de Montespan 1640-1707 | Notorious mistress of Louis XIV who held great power at court. Brought down by "Affair of the Poisons" with accusations of witchcraft, black magic, and murder. | |
| Madame de Maintenon 1635-1719 | Noblewoman who served as a governess, advisor, and companion of Louis XIV. Married privately after the death of his first wife. | |
Ministers | ||
| Duke of Sully 1560-1641 | Chief advisor and principle minister to Henry IV. Capably handled the nation's finances, and encouraged agriculture, trade, and building of highways and fortifications. | |
1585–1682 |
Very influential Minister of Louis XIII. Consolidated royal power and crushed dissenters. | |
| Cardinal Mazarin 1602-1661 | Minister of France during the early reign of Louis the XIV. Followed the polices of Richelieu. War of the Fronde fought to oppose his administration. | |
1619–1683 |
As minister of Finance, improved France's economy under the extravagant Louis XIV. | |
Martial Heroes | ||
1621–1686 |
Renowned Marshal of France during the age of Louis XVI. Fought in numerous wars including Fronde, thirty years, and Franco-Dutch. | |
1642–1701 |
Naval Commander during War of the Grand Alliance. Defeated British at Barfleur. | |
1611–1675 |
One of the greatest Marshall's of France. Served Louis XIII and XIV, in Thirty Years War, Fronde, and Dutch Wars. | |
Other Influential Persons | ||
1576–1660 |
Parish priest who devoted life to helping the poor. Established home for foundlings. | |
1580–1635 |
Founded French colonies in the St. Lawrence seaway and great lake region. Father of 'New France.' | |
Timeline—Early Modern France
| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
French Wars of Religion (Really about power, Religion was a Stalking Horse) | |
| 1559 | Francis II ascends to throne; Duke of Guise, uncle of Mary Queen of Scots, is regent. |
| 1560 | Amboise Conspiracy: Plot to kidnap king, murder Duke of Guise thwarted. |
| Charles IX ascends to throne on death of Francis II. Catherine de Medici is regent. | |
| 1562 | Massacre of Vassy, first major conflict in the French Wars of Religion. |
| 1572 | St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of Huguenots following wedding of Henry of Navarre. |
| 1574-89 | Henry III ascends to the throne on death of Charles IX. |
| 1578 | War of Three Henrys: Henry of Guise forms "Catholic League" to prevent Huguenot from ascending to the throne. |
| 1588 | Henry Guise murdered by agents of Catherine de Medici and Henry III |
| 1589 | Henry III murdered by an agents of the Catholic league. |
Reign of Henry IV | |
| 1589 | Henry IV becomes 1st Bourbon King, but is not accepted by many cities, including Paris. |
| 1560 | Henry IV besieges Paris, attempts to assume the throne but is denied entry. |
| 1593 | Henry IV converts to the Catholic Religion. |
| 1598 | Henry IV issues Edict of Nantes to end persecution of Huguenots and Religious Wars. |
| 1600 | Henry IV marries Maria de Medici, has six children in ten years. |
| 1608 | Samuel de Champlain founds the city of Quebec, establishes colony of New France. |
| 1610 | Henry IV assassinated by Catholic fanatic. Queen Mother, Maria de Medici regent for Louis XIII. |
| 1617 | Louis XIII exiles his mother and her "favorites" and takes control of the government. |
Richelieu and Mazarin: 1624 to 1661 | |
| 1624-42 | Cardinal Richelieu serves as chief minister of the state. Persecutes Huguenots in France, but funds Protestant enemies of the Hapsburgs abroad. |
| 1643 | Five-year-old Louis XIV succeeds to throne with Jules Cardinal Mazarin as regent. |
| 1648 | Peace of Westphalia ends Thirty Years' War. France annexes eastern territories. |
| 1648-59 | Wars of the Fronde: Last effort of nobles to reduce the power of the French king. |
| 1648 | Cardinal Mazarin ordered the arrest of the leaders of the parliament of Paris, provoking widespread rioting. |
| 1659 | France ends war with Spain, annexes northern Catalonia and French Flanders. |
Age of Louis XIV: 1661 to 1715 | |
| 1661 | Louis XIV assumes personal rule at age 23 after the Death of Mazarin. |
| 1668 | War of Devolution. France obtains Lille and other territories of Flanders from Spain. |
| 1678 | Franco-Dutch war. France obtains the Franche-Comte and cities in Flanders. |
| 1678 | Louis XIV begins large scale remodel of the palace of Versailles. |
| 1684 | War of the Reunions. France obtains territories in the north-west from Spain. |
| 1682 | Explorer Rene La Salle claims the Mississippi valley for France. |
| 1685 | Edict of Fontainebleau. Louis XIV revokes Edict of Nantes, removing the religious liberties of Huguenots. |
| 1697 | War of the Grand Alliance ends with French losses. Some territories returned to Hapsburg powers. |
| 1701-14 | War of the Spanish Succession |
| 1715 | Treaty of Utrecht: Bourbon Philip V assumes throne of Spain, renounces rights to French throne. |
| 1715 | Louis XIV is succeeded by five-year-old great-grandson Louis XV. |
Recommended Reading—Early Modern France
Core Reading Assignments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Guerber - The Story of Old France | A Young King and Queen to The Age of Louis XIV (26) | |
| Marshall - A History of France | The Riot of Amboise to War of Spanish Succession (14) | |
Supplemental Recommendations | ||
| Macgregor - The Story of France | The Prince of Conde Killed to Louis XIV and the Huguenots (13) | |
| Morris - Historical Tales: French | St. Bartholomew's Day to The Man with the Iron Mask (7) | |
| Abbott - Henry IV of France | entire book | |
| Abbott - Louis XIV | entire book | |
| Forbes - Life of St. Vincent de Paul | entire book | |
Easy Reading Selections | ||
| Finnemore - France: Peeps at History | House of Valois (cont.) to House of Bourbon (cont.) (3) | |
| Haaren - Famous Men of Modern Times | Henry of Navarre (1) | |
| Haaren - Famous Men of Modern Times | Cardinal Richelieu to Louis XIV (2) | |