Edict of Nantes Flashcards

Edict of Nantes

• Issued by Henry IV of France, allowing Huguenots to worship freely in designated cities.
• Huguenots could retain fortified cities for protection and hold public office.

Parlements

• French provincial law courts responsible for registering royal laws.
• The Paris parlement was the most significant.

Estates-General

• The parliamentary body representing three classes: the poor, middle class, and nobility.
• Relinquished the "power of the purse" to King Charles VII of Valois.

Peace of Alais

• Treaty negotiated by Cardinal Richelieu, signed by Louis XIII, confirming the Edict of Nantes provisions.
• Huguenots lost political rights and fortified cities, leading to the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685.

"Three Henries"

• Key figures: Henry III (Catholic), Henry Bourbon (Henry of Navarre, who converted twice), and Henry Guise (staunch Catholic).

Matthias

• Predecessor of Ferdinand II, known for promoting Catholic revival in Hapsburg territories, triggering the Thirty Years' War.

Ferdinand II

• Holy Roman Emperor during the Thirty Years' War, a firm Catholic with restoration of Catholicism as a major goal.

Frederick V

• Elector of Palatinate and Protestant leader who headed the Protestant Union among German states.

Protestant Union

• Coalition of German states united under Protestantism, led by Frederick V.

"Defenestration of Prague"

• Incident where two Hapsburg governors and one secretary were thrown from a window, escalating tensions.

Battle of White Mountain

• Defining battle during the Bohemian Phase of the Thirty Years' War; Frederick V and Bohemian nobles were defeated by Catholic League forces.

Gustavus Adolphus

• King of Sweden who entered Northern Germany to aid Protestant forces and protect his realm from HRE encroachment.
• Killed in the Battle of Lutzen.

Edict of Restitution

• Declaration by Ferdinand II enforcing Catholicism in HRE, returning Protestant-held lands to the church, based on claims of theft.

Wallenstein

• Powerful landowner and successful imperial commander; dismissed and assassinated by Ferdinand II due to political reasons.

Christian IV

• King of Denmark who invaded the HRE during the Danish Phase, primarily to support Lutherans.
• His forces were defeated by Wallenstein at the Battle of Dessau.

Cardinal Richelieu

• French Cardinal and co-regent for Louis XIII, influential in Absolutism doctrine and negotiated the Peace of Alais, precursor to the Edict of Fontainebleau.

Battle of Lützen

• Costly Swedish victory against imperial forces led by Wallenstein, resulting in the loss of King Gustavus Adolphus.

Catholic League

• Coalition led by Duke Maximilian of Bavaria, opposing the Protestant Union and unified under Catholicism.

Four Phases of the Thirty Years' War

• Bohemian Phase: Conflict over religious issues; marked by the Battle of White Mountain.
• Danish Phase: Christian IV's invasion, halted by Wallenstein at the Battle of Dessau.
• Swedish Phase: Continued conflict with significant involvement of Sweden in support of Protestant forces.