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

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greatly beloved for his amiable qualities as well as<br />

for his soldierly accomplishments. And there was<br />

also <strong>Francis</strong>, Count <strong>of</strong> La Rochefoucault, Pr<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>of</strong><br />

Marcillac. He was by birth and dignity the first<br />

noble <strong>of</strong> Guienne, and the richest and most potent<br />

man <strong>in</strong> all Poi<strong>to</strong>u. He could have raised an army<br />

among his relations, friends, and vassals alone. He<br />

was an experienced soldier: valiant, courageous,<br />

generous, and much beloved by Henry II, <strong>in</strong> whose<br />

wars he had greatly dist<strong>in</strong>guished himself. It was<br />

his fate <strong>to</strong> be <strong>in</strong>humanly slaughtered, as we shall<br />

see, <strong>in</strong> the St. Bartholomew Massacre. There was<br />

Rene, Viscount <strong>of</strong> Rohan. He was by the mother's<br />

side related <strong>to</strong> the family <strong>of</strong> Navarre, be<strong>in</strong>g cous<strong>in</strong>german<br />

<strong>to</strong> Jeanne d'Albret. Be<strong>in</strong>g by her means<br />

<strong>in</strong>structed <strong>in</strong> the Reformed faith, that queen made<br />

him her lieutenant-general dur<strong>in</strong>g the m<strong>in</strong>ority <strong>of</strong><br />

her son Henry, afterwards K<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>France</strong>, whom<br />

he served with <strong>in</strong>violable fidelity. There was<br />

Anthony, Count <strong>of</strong> Grammont, who was <strong>in</strong> great<br />

esteem among the Reformed on account <strong>of</strong> his<br />

valor and his high character. Hav<strong>in</strong>g embraced the<br />

Protestant faith, he opposed uncompromis<strong>in</strong>gly the<br />

Guises, and bore himself with great dist<strong>in</strong>ction and<br />

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