Edict of Saint Germain
The royal government grants limited toleration to Huguenots
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1562 in France
Explore 72 historical events and records for France in 1562.
Historical records for France in 1562
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 72 unique records.
72Unique records
1 of 2Page
25Named events on this page
14Named people on this page
15Places on this page
January
Edict of Saint Germain
Catherine issues limited toleration for Protestant worship outside towns
Edict of Saint-Germain
The Edict of Saint-Germain provides limited tolerance of Protestantism in her Roman Catholic realms, especially in relation to the French Huguenots. The Edict of Saint-Germain is an edict of toleration promulgated by the Regent, Catherine de Medici
Huguenot Negotiations
Beza supports Protestant efforts to secure legal toleration
Huguenots
The Edict of Saint-Germain provides limited tolerance of Protestantism in her Roman Catholic realms, especially in relation to the French Huguenots. The Edict of Saint-Germain is an edict of toleration promulgated by the Regent, Catherine de Medici
February
Florida Expedition
Ribault sails with French Huguenot colonists toward Florida
March
Edict of Saint-Germain
Within a matter of weeks ofter the edict of Saint-Germain, the Vassy massacre opens the first religious war, which in fact was a victory for the more intolerant Guise policy and a defeat for the conciliations of Catherine
Edict of Saint-Germain
Guise family retainers attack a Calvinist service in Wassy-sur-Blaise in Champagne and massacre worshippers, as hostilities break out, the Edict is revoked, under pressure from the Guise faction
Edict of Saint-Germain
Guise family retainers attack a Calvinist service in Wassy-sur-Blaise in Champagne and massacre worshippers
Edict of Saint-Germain
The Edict of Saint-Germain is revoked by the Guise familly
Massacre
Within a matter of weeks ofter the edict of Saint-Germain, the Vassy massacre opens the first religious war, which in fact was a victory for the more intolerant Guise policy and a defeat for the conciliations of Catherine
Massacre of Wassy
Guise's followers attack a Protestant congregation and ignite the first war of religion
Massacre of Wassy
Guise's retainers attack a Huguenot congregation and trigger open war
Massacre of Wassy
The massacre undermines Catherine's policy of religious compromise
Occupation of Paris
Guise and Catholic allies secure Paris against Protestant forces
April
Capture of Orleans
Conde makes Orleans the main Huguenot stronghold
Catholic Alignment
Antoine of Navarre sides with the Catholic royal army
Catholic Army Mobilized
Guise helps organize Catholic forces against the Huguenots
Catholic Command
Montmorency joins Guise in command of Catholic forces
Catholic Command
Saint Andre serves as a senior Catholic commander
Huguenot Command
Coligny joins the Huguenot military leadership during the first war
Huguenot Rising
Conde takes leadership of the Huguenot military cause
Massacre
As Guise passes through Wassy-sur-Blaise on his way to Paris a massacre of Protestants takes place kindling open military conflict in the French Wars of Religion
May
First Landing in Florida
Ribault lands on the Atlantic coast during the French Florida expedition
Port Royal Explored
Ribault explores the harbour later used for Charlesfort
August
Siege of Bourges
Guise helps bring Bourges back under Catholic royal control
September
Huguenots
Signs a Treaty allowing English occupation of le Havre for supporting the Huguenots
Rule of Le Havre
Signs a Treaty allowing English occupation of le Havre for supporting the Huguenots
Treaty of Hampton Court
Conde accepts English support and offers Le Havre as security
Treaty of Hampton Court
Elizabeth agrees to support French Huguenots and accepts control of Le Havre, creating a new English military foothold on the French coast.
Defense of Orleans
Coligny supports the Huguenot defence of Orleans
Siege of Bourges
The siege of Bourges is the opening episode, the French Wars of Religion
October
Rouen Retaken
Royal forces recover Rouen during the first war of religion
Capture of Rouen
Rouen is retaken from the Protestants by Guise after a months siege
Occupation of Le Havre
Dudley leads English troops into Le Havre and takes command of the occupied port, which Elizabeth hopes to exchange for the restoration of Calais.
Siege of Rouen
Antoine is mortally wounded during operations at Rouen
Siege of Rouen
Rouen is retaken from the Protestants by Guise after a months siege
Siege of Rouen
Guise helps retake Rouen from Protestant control
Siege of Rouen
Guise helps recover Rouen from Protestant control
November
Death of Antoine of Navarre
Antoine dies from wounds received during the siege of Rouen
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.