5. Growth of Protestantism, 1560-1561

Under the leadership of La Renaudie, a conspiracy was formed at Amboise for the seizure of the Guises (Feb., 1560). The betrayal of the plot led to a massacre. Under the influence of Gaspard de Coligny (q.v.), soon to tantism, become the soldier and statesman of 1560-61. the Huguenots, and the Chancellor Michel de 1'HSpital (see L'HOPITAL, MICHEL DE), Catherine undertook to mitigate the persecution. At an assembly of the notables at Fontainebleau (Aug. 21, 1580) Coligny read a petition of the Evangelicals for toleration. He declared that 50,000 signatures could be secured in Normandy alone. Soon afterward another conspiracy was reported in which Antoine and CondS were involved. They were summoned to court and Condo was condemned to death. The

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Guises were thought to be preparing for a wholesale massacre. On the death of Francis II. (Dec. 5, 1560) Catherine assumed the regency on behalf of her young son, Charles IX. She associated with her in the regency Antoine de Bourbon, released Louis de Condd, restored to confidence Montmorency, and made L'Hopital chancellor. The States General assembled on Dec. 13. The Chancellor urged the unification of religion; and Coligny presented a petition of the Evangelicals for toleration. The royal "ordinance of Orléans" (Jan. 28, 1561) suspended persecution. .Rash proceedings on the part of the Evangelicals and mob violence on the part of the Catholics intensified the animosity of the parties. Many nobles, had now cast in their lot with the new religion. Vast assemblies, often armed for defense, were held in many places. Coligny, Jeanne d'Albret, and other nobles refused to obey a royal edict (July, 1561) forbidding-such assemblies; and at the reassembling of the States General (Aug., 1561), nobles, and third estate demanded toleration and a national council for the settlement of religious difficulties. A suspension of persecution followed; prisoners were released; and fugitives returned. Charles IX. urged the Genevan authorities to withdraw their preachers, and threatened the city. Calvin replied that the city authorities had sent no missionaries and that the work was purely voluntary. Becoming convinced that there was a secret compact between Antoine and Catherine to turn France over to the Huguenots, Montmorency formed P. compact with Francis of Guise and St. Andrd (Apr., 1561) to thwart the scheme (Triumvirate). A conspiracy, in which the king of Spain was involved, for the destruction of the Calvinists and all the Bourbons; of Geneva, with the massacre of every inhabitant; and ultimately of Protestantism throughout Europe, was reported to have been formed. Riotous outbreaks led the government to prohibit the use of the terms " Papist " and "Huguenot" and the invasion of homes for interfering with religious meetings, though the Parliament of Paris protested against such recognition of the Huguenots.