CHAPTER VI.

FIRST RELIGIOUS WAR.

[1562–1563.]

Beginning of Reaction--Causes of the War--The Huguenots arm--Advice of Coligny’s Wife--Covenant of Association--Massacre at Sens and Sisteron--Discipline of the Armies--Catherine attempts to mediate--Conference at Thoury--Negotiations broken off--Fearful state of Paris--The Constable’s violence--Appeals to Foreign Sympathy--Successes of the Royalists--Atrocities at Blois and Tours--Rouen Besieged--The Breach stormed--The Hour of Vengeance--Pastor Marlorat hanged--Death of Anthony of Navarre--Disturbances in Normandy--Offer of Amnesty--Battle of Dreux--Condé and Montmorency captured--St. André killed--Siege of Orleans--Duke of Guise murdered--Poltrot de Méré--Pacification of Amboise--Distress caused by the War--Death of Coligny’s Son--Letter to his Wife 195