History
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre Explained
A summary of the 1572 mass killing of French Protestants (Huguenots), a brutal turning point in the French Wars of Religion.
What is it?
The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a wave of Catholic mob violence and targeted assassinations directed against French Calvinist Protestants, known as Huguenots. The event began on August 24, 1572, in Paris, just days after the wedding of the king's sister, Margaret, to the Protestant King Henry of Navarre. The wedding had brought many prominent Huguenots to the largely Catholic city. Believed to be instigated by Catherine de' Medici, mother of King Charles IX, the massacre started with the killing of Huguenot leaders, including Admiral Gaspard de Coligny. The violence then spread from Paris to other cities and the countryside, lasting for several weeks.
Why is it trending?
This event remains a significant topic in history due to its sheer brutality and its pivotal role in the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598). It represents a profound example of religious intolerance and state-sponsored violence. The catalyst was the failed assassination attempt on Admiral de Coligny two days prior. Fearing a Huguenot reprisal, King Charles IX, influenced by his mother, authorized the killing of their leaders. What began as a targeted political assassination quickly spiraled into an uncontrollable massacre. Mobs of Catholic citizens joined in, slaughtering thousands of Protestants in Paris before the violence spread across France.
How does it affect people?
The massacre had a devastating impact on the Huguenot community and French society. Estimates of the total death toll across France range widely from 5,000 to 30,000. The Huguenot political movement was crippled by the loss of many of its aristocratic leaders. The event intensified the hatred between Catholics and Protestants, sparking the fourth phase of the religious wars. For many Huguenots, it shattered the belief that the monarchy could be a neutral arbiter, leading many to convert to Catholicism or flee the country, significantly reducing the Protestant population in France. The massacre left a lasting legacy of bitterness and is remembered as a stark warning about the horrific consequences of religious extremism.