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

whereupon the king gave them three days to make
their choice.[9] His physician, Ambrose Pare, a
Protestant, he kept all night in his cabinet, so
selfishly careful was he of his own miserable life at
the very moment that he was murdering in
thousands the flower of his subjects. Pare he also
attempted to terrify by oaths and threats into
embracing Romanism, telling him that the time
was now come when every man in France must
become Roman Catholic. So apparent was it that
the leading motive of Charles IX in these great
crimes was the dominancy of the Roman faith and
the entire extinction of Protestantism.
For seven days the massacres were continued in
Paris, and the first three especially with unabating
fury. Nor were they confined within the walls of
the city. In pursuance of orders sent from the
court,[10] they were extended to all provinces and
cities where Protestants were found. Even villages
and chateaux became scenes of carnage. For two
months these butcheries were continued throughout
the kingdom. Every day during that fearful time the
poniard reaped a fresh harvest of victims, and the
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