How important a factor in explaining the outbreak of the French wars of religion in 1562 was the developing social and political strength of the Huguenots?

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How important a factor in explaining the outbreak of the French wars of religion in 1562 was the developing social and political strength of the Huguenots?

        By 1562 the situation in France had become extremely volatile, the increase in Huguenot activity and their possible overconfidence served only to aggravate the Catholics even further. This is exemplified by the Massacre of Vassy in 1562 in which 50 Huguenots were killed by the Duke of Guise and some of his faction.  Demonstrating the increase in the Huguenot’s social and political power was an important factor in the outbreak of war.

        By 1562 the Huguenot’s had successfully increased their political power to the extent that “They had become a formidable minority.” – Cowie. This is confirmed by the Edict of St Germaine 1562 which legally recognised the Huguenots and allowed them freedom of faith but not worship. Thus the Huguenots political power increased as the Catholic’s power decreased. This slight shift in the balance of power only provoked the Catholics into further retaliation.  Francis I’s alternating policy towards the Huguenot’s of tolerance and intolerance gave them the opportunity to increase in both numbers and strength. This resulted in the Huguenot’s attempting to seize the king at the tumult of Amboise, 1560. Thus the Huguenot’s had successfully managed to increase their political power base  to the extent that not only did they have enough support to attempt to capture the king  but also the confidence required to challenge the monarchy in such a direct manner.

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        The Huguenot’s had increased their social power along with their political power to the point that they had become entwined by 1562. This is exemplified by the fact that the head of the most senior family in France was a Huguenot, Antoine of Navarre, and that Admiral Coligny another leading Huguenot had become one of the king’s closest advisors and constable of France. This increase in social power culminated in the marriage between Henry of Navarre, a Huguenot, and Marguerite de Valois, a Catholic, in 1572. The Huguenot’s were now able to exercise tighter control over France because they ...

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