The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes: The Edict of Fontainebleau

On October 18, 1685, King Louis XIV of France issued the Edict of Fontainebleau, a significant decree that revoked the Edict of Nantes. This decision marked a pivotal moment in French history, leading to the persecution of Huguenots, French Protestants, and causing a substantial exodus from France.

Background

• The Edict of Nantes (1598): Issued by King Henry IV, the Edict of Nantes granted substantial rights to the Huguenots in a predominantly Catholic France. It aimed to bring an end to the religious wars that had plagued France in the latter half of the 16th century, offering a degree of religious tolerance and civil rights to Protestants.

• Religious Tensions: Despite the Edict of Nantes, tensions between Catholics and Protestants persisted. Over the decades, the Catholic majority viewed the privileges granted to Huguenots with increasing resentment.

The Edict of Fontainebleau

• Revocation: The Edict of Fontainebleau effectively nullified the protections afforded to Huguenots under the Edict of Nantes. It outlawed Protestantism in France, leading to the destruction of Huguenot churches and the closure of Protestant schools.

• Motivations: Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King,” sought to consolidate his power and unify France under a single religion, Catholicism. He believed that religious unity was essential for political stability and the strength of his reign.

Consequences

• Persecution: The revocation led to the persecution of Huguenots. They faced forced conversions, imprisonment, and the confiscation of property. Many were subjected to the dragonnades, a policy where soldiers were billeted in Huguenot homes to encourage conversion through intimidation.

• Huguenot Exodus: An estimated 200,000 Huguenots fled France, seeking refuge in Protestant countries such as England, the Netherlands, Prussia, and Switzerland. This exodus resulted in a significant loss of skilled labor and economic talent for France, as many Huguenots were artisans, merchants, and professionals.

• International Impact: The revocation drew widespread condemnation from Protestant nations and contributed to the growing tensions between Catholic and Protestant states in Europe. It also played a role in the War of the Grand Alliance (1688–1697), as Protestant nations opposed Louis XIV’s expansionist policies.

Historical Significance

The Edict of Fontainebleau is a stark example of the intersection of religion and politics in early modern Europe. It highlights the challenges of religious tolerance and the impact of state policies on minority communities. The Huguenot diaspora significantly influenced the cultural and economic landscapes of the countries they settled in, while France faced the long-term consequences of its loss of human capital and increased religious homogeneity.

The revocation of the Edict of Nantes remains a critical event in the history of religious freedom and persecution, illustrating the complexities and consequences of state-imposed religious conformity.