The Edict of Nantes, had been issued on 13 April 1598, by Henry IV of France. It had granted the Calvinist Protestants of France (also known as Huguenots) substantial rights in a predominately Catholic nation. Through the Edict, Henry had aimed to promote civil unity. The Edict treated some Protestants with tolerance and opened a path for secularism. It offered general freedom of conscience to individuals and many specific concessions to the Protestants, such as amnesty and the reinstatement of their civil rights, including the right to work in any field or for the State and to bring grievances directly to the king. It marked the end of the religious wars that had afflicted France during the second half of the 16th century.
Read more about this topic: Edict Of Fontainebleau
Famous quotes containing the word edict:
“If then true lovers have ever been crossed
It stands as an edict in destiny.
Then let us teach our trial patience,
Because it is a customary cross,
As due to love and thoughts, and dreams, and sighs,
Wishes, and tears—poor fancy’s followers.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)