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

her ambition, and the Huguenots,[1] as they began
to be called, had now a breathing-space.
The Queen-mother fortified herself on the side
of the Guises by recalling the Constable
Montmorency, and installing him in all his
dignities and offices. The next event of importance
was the meeting of the States-General at Orleans
(December 13th, 1560), a few days after Charles
IX had ascended the throne. The assembly was
presided over by the Chancellor Michel de
l'Hopital, a man learned in the law, revered on the
judgment-seat for the wisdom and equity of his
decisions, and tolerant beyond the measure of his
times. The words, few but weighty, with which he
opened the proceedings, implied a great deal more
than they expressed. The Church, he said, that great
fountain of health or of disease to a nation, had
become corrupt. Reformation was needed. "Adorn
yourselves," said he to the clergy, "but let it be
with virtues and morality. Attack your foes, by all
means, but let it be with the weapons of charity,
prayer, and persuasion."[2] Enlightened counsels
these, which needed only wisdom in those to whom
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