Edict of January

The Edict of January, issued in 1562 by Catherine de' Médicis, granted a degree of toleration to French Calvinist Protestants, known as Huguenots. This edict was an attempt at religious reconciliation during a period of intense religious conflict in France. However, it provoked a strong reaction from devout Catholics, leading to the first civil war, which began with the massacre of a Huguenot congregation at Vassy.1

The Edict of Nantes, promulgated in 1598 by Henry IV, built upon this by granting substantial religious liberties to Huguenots, ending the Wars of Religion. It allowed public worship in many areas and granted full civil rights. However, its political and military clauses were later revoked, and the edict itself was ultimately revoked in 1685 by Louis XIV, leading to the emigration of many Huguenots.2