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

assembled.[11] The Huguenot meeting-house was
a barn, about 100 yards distant, on the city wall. A
portion of the duke's troop marched on before, and
arrived at the building. The Protestants were
assembled to the number of 1,200; the psalm and
the prayer were ended, and the sermon had begun.
The congregation were suddenly startled by
persons outside throwing stones at the windows,
and shouting out, "Heretics! rebels! dogs!"
Presently the discharge of fire-arms told them that
they were surrounded by armed men. The
Protestants endeavored to close the door, but were
unable from the crowd of soldiers pressing in, with
oaths and shouts of "Kill, kill!" "Those within,"
says Crespin, "were so astonied that they knew not
which way to turn them, but running hither and
thither fell one upon another, flying as poor sheep
before a company of ravening wolves. Some of the
murderers shot of their pieces at those that were in
the galleries; others cut in pieces such as they
lighted upon; others had their heads cleft in twain,
their arms and hands cut off, and thus did they
what they could to hew them all in pieces, so as
many of them gave up the ghost even in the place.
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