Du beau XVIe siècle aux guerres de Religion : le Royaume de France de 1515-1610

This course aims to explore the evolution of France in the 16th century, a period marked by profound political, religious, and cultural changes. It begins with the reign of Francis the Ist in 1515, a symbol of the French Renaissance, and ends with the assassination of Henry IV in 1610. All aspects of this contrasting century will be addressed : first, the cultural and artistic productions of Renaissance France, in connection with the development of printing and the Italian Wars. Political aspects will be discussed, including the rise of absolutist theories (Jean Bodin, 1576) on one hand, and the development of monarchomach theories and the assassination of two kings (Henry III in 1589 and Henry IV in 1610) on the other. While the French 16th century is known for its optimism and its humanists (Budé, Rabelais, Montaigne), it must always be analyzed through its more turbulent phase with the development of the Protestant Reformation from the 1520s and the Wars of Religion, fratricidal civil wars between the French. Thus, after analyzing the promises and hopes of the beautiful French 16th century, the course will focus on the terrible period of “troubles” and violence, particularly the religious massacres that characterized France during the Wars of Religion. At each stage, the course will be illustrated by readings of period sources, iconographic analyses, as well as an overview of historiographical issues.

Course format : French lecture-style, followed by a discussion.

Main themes

The Renaissance and Humanism: We will examine the influence of the Italian Renaissance on French arts and culture, as well as the rise of humanism, drawing on many iconographic examples (the “Gallery François 1er”, paintings from the School of Fontainebleau, etc.).

The Protestant Reformation: We will study the spread of Luther’s and Calvin’s ideas in France, and the monarchy’s reaction to this “new religion”.

The Wars of Religion: We will delve into the causes, course, and consequences of the eight wars that tore the kingdom apart between 1562 and 1598.

The reign of Henry IV: We will conclude by examining the policy of pacification and reconstruction led by Henry IV, notably the Edict of Nantes. This course will highlight the transformation of France, from a unified and powerful kingdom to a country divided by religious conflicts, then pacified again under Henry IV.