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Politiques

French religious group

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The term "Politiques" refers to a group of French moderates during the 16th-century religious conflicts. They prioritized national unity over the dominance of any single religious sect, advocating for religious toleration as a government policy.1

These Politiques emerged during a period of intense religious strife between Catholics and Protestants, known as the Wars of Religion. The most prominent example of their influence was King Henry IV's promulgation of the Edict of Nantes in 1598. This edict granted substantial religious liberties to the Huguenots, the French Protestants, and aimed to end the devastating religious wars. The Politiques believed that religious tolerance was essential for the stability and well-being of France.231

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