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Massacre of Vassy
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Massacre of Vassy

French history [1562]
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Quick Summary

The Massacre of Vassy, which occurred in March 1562, marked the beginning of the French Wars of Religion. This event involved the massacre of a Huguenot (French Calvinist Protestant) congregation by the partisans of François de Guise, a prominent Catholic leader. The incident took place in Vassy, France, and is considered the spark that ignited widespread conflict between Protestants and Roman Catholics in the country. The spread of Calvinism had led Catherine de' Médicis, the regent, to adopt a more tolerant stance towards Huguenots, which angered the powerful Guise family and ultimately led to this violent confrontation.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. history of France - Age of the Reformation
  2. Wars of Religion

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