The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1

The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1
(of 2), by

Henry Martyn Baird This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at
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Title: The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Author: Henry Martyn Baird
Release Date: September 24, 2007 [EBook #22762]
Language: English
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HISTORY OF THE
RISE OF THE HUGUENOTS.
VOLUME I.

A REVIEW OF THIS WORK,
Occupying nearly four columns, appeared in the NEW YORK
TRIBUNE of Dec. 30th, 1879, from which the following is extracted.
"It embraces the time from the accession of Francis I. in 1515, to the
death of Charles IX. in 1574, at which epoch the doctrines of the
Reformation had become well-grounded in France, and the Huguenots
had outgrown the feebleness of infancy and stood as a distinct and
powerful body before the religious world. In preparing the learned and
elaborate work, which will give the name of the author an honourable
place on the distinguished list of American historians, Professor Baird
has made a judicious use of the researches and discoveries which,
during the last thirty years, have shed a fresh light on the history of
France at the era of the Reformation. Among the ample stores of
knowledge which have been laid open to his inquiries are the archives
of the principal capitals of Europe, which have been thoroughly
explored for the first time during that period. Numerous manuscripts of
great value, for the most part unknown to the learned world, have been
rescued from obscurity. At the side of the voluminous chronicles long
since printed, a rich abundance of contemporary correspondence and
hitherto inedited memoirs has accumulated, which afford a copious
collection of life-like and trustworthy views of the past. The secrets of
diplomacy have been revealed. The official statements drawn up for the
public may now be tested by the more truthful and unguarded accounts
conveyed in cipher to all the foreign courts of Europe. Of not less
importance, perhaps, than the official publications are the fruits of
private research, among which are several valuable collections of
original documents. While the author has not failed to enrich his pages
with the materials derived from these and similar sources, he has made
a careful and patient study of the host of original chronicles, histories,
and kindred productions which have long been more or less familiar to
the world of letters. The fruits of his studious labours, as presented in
these volumes, attest his diligence, his fidelity, his equipoise of
judgment, his fairness of mind, his clearness of perception, and his
accuracy of statement.

"While the research and well-digested erudition exhibited in this work
are eminently creditable to the learning and scholarship of the author,
its literary execution amply attests the excellence of his taste, and his
judgment and skill in the art of composition. His work is one of the
most important recent contributions to American literature, and is
entitled to a sincere greeting for its manifold learning and scholarly
spirit."

HISTORY OF THE
RISE OF THE HUGUENOTS.
BY
HENRY M. BAIRD,
PROFESSOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW
YORK.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE FRENCH REFORMATION TO
THE EDICT OF JANUARY (1562).
London: HODDER AND STOUGHTON, 27, PATERNOSTER ROW.
MDCCCLXXX.
Hazell, Watson, and Viney, Printers, London and Aylesbury

PREFACE.
The period of about half a century with which these volumes are
concerned may properly be regarded as the formative age of the
Huguenots of France. It included the first planting of the reformed

doctrines, and the steady growth of the Reformation in spite of obloquy
and persecution, whether exercised under the forms of law or vented in
lawless violence. It saw the gathering and the regular organization of
the reformed communities, as well as their consolidation into one of the
most orderly and zealous churches of the Protestant family. It
witnessed the failure of the bloody legislation of three successive
monarchs, and the equally abortive efforts of a fourth monarch to
destroy the Huguenots, first with the sword and afterward with the
dagger. At the close of this period the faith and resolution of the
Huguenots had survived four sanguinary wars into which they had been
driven by their implacable enemies. They were just entering upon a
fifth war, under favorable auspices, for they had made it manifest to all
men that their success depended less upon the lives of