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

their worship was in many instances forbidden,
their children were often compulsorily educated in
the Romish faith, their last wills made void, and
even their corpses dug out of the grave and thrown
like carrion on the fields. When they craved
redress, they were bidden be patient till Henry
should be stronger on the throne. His apostasy had
brought matters to a head, and convinced the
Huguenots that they must look to themselves. The
bishops had made Henry swear, "I will endeavor to
the utmost of my power, and in good faith, to drive
out of my jurisdiction, and from the lands under
my sway, all heretics denounced by the Church."
Thus the sword was again hung over their heads;
and can we blame them if now they formed
themselves into a political organization, with a
General Council, or Parliament, which met every
year to concert measures of safety, promote unity
of action, and keep watch over the affairs of the
general body? To Henry's honor it must be
acknowledged that he secretly encouraged this
Protestant League. An apostate, he yet escaped the
infamy of the persecutor.
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