Protestantism in France From Death of Francis I to Edict of Nantes - James Aitken Wylie

severe edicts against the Reformed. Their meetings
were forbidden on pain of death, without any other
form of judgment, and informers were promised
half the forfeitures. Other rewards were added to
qnicken their diligence. The commissaries of the
various wards of Paris were commanded to pay
instant attention to the informations lodged before
them by the spies, who were continually on the
search, and the Lieutenant-Criminal was
empowered by letters patent to judge without
appeal, and execute without delay, those brought
before him. And the vicars and cures were set to
work to thunder excommunication and anathema in
their parishes against all who, knowing who among
their neighbors were Lutherans, should yet refrain
from denouncing them to the authorities.[4]
The Protestant Church in Paris in this extremity
addressed the Queen-mother, Catherine de Medici.
A former interview had inspired the members of
that Church with the hope that she was disposed to
pursue a moderate policy. They had not yet learned
with what an air of sincerity, and even
graciousness, the niece of Clement VII could cover
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