French Religious Wars 1562 1598

The eight French Wars of Religion began in 1562 and lasted for 36 years.Although the wars were fought between Catholics and Protestants, this book draws out in full the equally important struggle for power between the king and the leading nobles, and the rivalry between the nobles themselves as they vied for control of the king. In a time when human life counted for little, the destruction reached its height in the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre when up to 10,000 Protestants lost their lives. The events of the conflict, up to and including this point, are explained concisely and clearly in this handy pocket guide.