The French Religious Wars, 1562-1598

Osprey Essential Histories #47

by Robert J. Knecht

The eight French Wars of Religion began in 1562 and lasted for 36 years. Although the wars were fought between Catholics and Protestants, this books draws out in full the equally important struggle for power between the king and the leading nobles, and the rivalry between the nobles themselves as they vied for control of the king. In a time when human life counted for little, the destruction reached its height in the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre when up to 10,000 Protestants lost their lives.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, Military History

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2002

About the author

Robert Jean Knecht was Emeritus Professor of French History at the University of Birmingham, where he has taught since 1956. A fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the Société de l'Histoire de France, Professor Knecht was Reviews Editor of the journal French History and was a member of its editorial board. He was also Chairman of the Society for Renaissance Studies and Chairman of the Society for French History. He was also a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for the Study of the Renaissance at the University of Warwick. He has also published extensively in the field of French history, his principal work being on the reign of Francis I.

Reviews

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an era of France I knew nothing about coinciding as it does with the reign of Elizabeth I. And so most of my (limited) knowledge of the era is from that side.

This was a very well presented and researched book on the period of turmoil in France between Catholics and Protestants (Hugenots) and the wars, battles, sieges, assassinations and massacres that occured during the time. The author follows the same structure as the rest of the series and provides a very good addition to the series.

I'm not sure whether I'll dig deeper into this era but it is a good introduction into the start of Protestantism (Calvinism) in France and its impact on the existing Catholic population and King.

[Shane Kiely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much the “Essential” history of the French Wars of religion that took place across the latter half of the 16th century, very much the broad strokes (which is expected with nearly 40 years of material but only 90 pages (less if you take away the (really well done) contemporary illustrations. I’m curious to explore this topic in further detail which basically means the book performed it’s appointed task as far as I’m concerned.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief military-political history of these conflicts. The relatively few major battles allows sufficient space that the history of the full 36 years is just about covered; the format compulsory chapters on civilian and soldier individuals choose to briefly cover 3 each to highlight aspects of the conflict and are well utilised.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A balanced military and political history of the series of conflicts that plunged France into chaos and weakened it as a European power. Knecht rightly argues that the wars ultimately settled little, resulting in a series of uneasy truces without addressing the underlying rivalries.

[Susanna Hl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright for gaining an understanding of the bare facts, but very little analysis or background.

[Bill Lenoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good intro into the subject

[Bruinrefugee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a pretty good job of teasing out the various strands leading to the French Civil Wars, particularly the Catholic/Huguenot divide and its complications over time.