Huguenots

Huguenots, the former name of the members of the Protestant Church in France. The word is a corruption of the German Eidgenossen, "sworn confederates," and was imported from Geneva, where it was used as a political nickname. The French reformers were at first disposed to favour the views of Luther, but by the middle of the 16th. century the movement had assumed a thoroughly Calvinistic character. As such it was; bitterly opposed by the Court, and the persecutions to which the Huguenots were subjected drove them to take up arms in 1560. The ensuing struggle was due almost as much to political as to religious causes, especially in its later phases, for the adhesion of many of the discontented nobles and the thorough organisation of the party on a more or less democratic basis made it a, grave source of political danger. The contest was continued intermittently for nearly forty years, war alternating with peace, according as to whether the royal party conceived that they had more to fear from the Huguenots or from their adversaries, the Guises (q.v.). Eight short wars are reckoned during this period, each terminated by a peace from which the Huguenots derived some temporary advantages. Their leaders were at first Louis de Bourbon, Prince de Condg (q.v.), and the Admiral Coligny (q.v.); after the death of the former at Jarnac in 1569, Henri, heir to the throne of Navarre, afterwards Henri IV. of France (q.v.), was put forward by his mother, Jeanne d'Albret, as their political champion. On one occasion, when the influence of the Guises was paramount, the Court party had recourse to treachery, but the massacre of St. Bartholomew (1572), terrible as were its immediate effects, failed altogether in its purpose of eradicating the Huguenots - perhaps the most serious injury it inflicted on them was the loss of their leader Coligny. The treaty of 1573, granting the Huguenots freedom of worship at Montauban, Nimes, and La Rochelle was the model for numerous subsequent arrangements of the same kind, with the result that these places ultimately became Protestant strongholds. The Roman Catholic cause was apparently strengthened by the formation of the "Holy League" (1576), but this association was really intended to promote the ambitious designs of the Guises, and with their fall it came to an end. The accession of Henri IV. seemed to promise a new era for the Huguenots, but the Edict of Nantes (1598) by no means satisfied their aspirations, as it did little more than repeat the provisions of some of the previous edicts. Peace was maintained during the reign of Henri, but under his son, Louis XIII., hostilities were again resumed. The efforts of the Huguenots to improve their position were, however, brought to a fatal close by the reduction of La Rochelle, after a gallant resistance, in 1629. From this time forward they were deprived of all military and political power, but contributed greatly to the material prosperity of France by their skill and industry in every department of trade. But Louis XIV., who in religious matters was influenced by the Jesuits, resumed a policy of persecution, and even before the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) vast numbers of Huguenots had already left the country. Most of those who remained took refuge in the mountains of the Cevennes, where in 1704 they broke out into a rebellion which lasted for two years. [Camisards.] In the 18th century a spirit of toleration grew up, which was gradually extended to the Huguenots, although it was not until 1789 that they regained their lost privileges. The Protestant Church of France now enjoys the same privileges as other religious bodies.

The Huguenot families which found a refuge from political and religions tyranny in England have exercised an important influence on her industrial history. In the reign of Elizabeth they settled in large numbers in London, Canterbury, Coventry, Southampton, and other towns. From the first they were allowed perfect liberty of worship. The Spitalfields silk industry grew up with the emigration which took place after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Among other industries for which England is specially indebted to the Huguenots may be mentioned those of linen, paper, clocks, glass, locks, and surgical instruments.