The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants

32 EISE AND PROGRESS OF HUGUENOTS.
introd. promises made him. But Conde and many
others were greatly dissatisfied. Consequently
two other meetings of the Reformers were
speedily held, which resulted in arousing and
uniting their numerous adherents in the South
to demand and defend their rights. Having
chosen Conde for their leader, they decided
February, 1560, at Nantes, that a body of unarmed
men should appear at the gates of Blois,
where the court was residing, and demand
leave to present to the King a petition, praying
for liberty of conscience and religious
toleration. In case of unkind reception given
the petitioners, they were to be protected by
small bodies of armed men advancing by
different routes. In this scheme they were
betrayed to the Duke of Guise, who persuaded
the court to remove to Amboise. A military
force was also prepared for the occasion.
When the Embassy appeared at Amboise, they
were driven from the gates, and their armed
forces which were advancing by different
Hugueroutes
were unexpectedly attacked, slain and
captured, few escaping. Some of the captured
were immediately hanged, and some 1,200 men
perished. Conde who was the first to reach
the court was captured and put under guard,
but soon after released.
It was from this time that the Reformers
Dgg*g.
nated. Were distmctively called Huguenots.
In March of the same
^^1560.
year (1560), the
iynll. second National Synod of the Reformed
Church of France met at Poitiers, with Le
Baillem, President.
War was now begun, and Guise to
strengthen himself proposed the Inquisition.
The wisest statesman of the age. Chancellor
Michael L'Hopital, advocated toleration for