How Did Religion Change Europe In The 16th Century

In the 16th Century, religion divided Europe. However, a hand full of rulers influenced their countries and led them towards success. These rulers were known as politiques. Politiques were rulers or people in places of position that put the success and well being of their states above religious unity. They did not just change how Europe was politically but changed it culturally as well. The rulers accomplished religious stability in their countries, balanced their governments, gained independence, grew culturally, and eventually conquered new areas. Catherine de Medici, Henry IV, Elizabeth I, and William of Orange were all effective politiques that help moved their countries in a new and better direction. (check for vagueness later)
Catherine de Medici was a …show more content…
Catherine devoted her energies to maintaining a balance between the Calvinist group known as the Huguenots, led by the French military leader Gaspard de Coligny, and the Roman Catholics, led by the powerful house of Guise. Later, the Bourbon family sided with the Calvinists for political reasons. Catherine, a Roman Catholic herself, usually supported the Catholics; sometimes, her support switched to the Huguenots. At first, she feared the power of the Guise, so she issued the January Edict with of the help Beza and Coligny. This edict allowed Calvinists freedom to worship publicly outside of towns and to hold synods. The Peace of Saint Germain en- Laye, ended the third French Religion War and acknowledged the power of Huguenot nobility. It gave them religious freedoms and the right to fortify their city. Once again, the crown started to shift towards the Huguenots. Catherine at the time didn’t want Coligny to come into power since he planned to protect the Dutch Protestants, which would result in them fighting Spain. Later in her life, she feared Huguenot influence over her son Charles, the