day I was called to a particular conference at the residence of one of the bishops of this kingdom, along with many others of his rank and some other deputies from the nobility. There a certain formula of association was proposed, whose purpose was to break the last edict of pacification and to place the king at war against those of the so-called Protestant religion. . . . I remarked that it seemed to me that the king ought not to be counseled to go to war, because of the recent injuries the kingdom has suffered, and that anyone who favors civil war is ungodly and deserves our prayer. . . . Concerning the present formula of association, I say that I cannot sign it and call myself a servant of the king. I know that war is unjust if it is not conducted and undertaken by the king in his faithful and holy council.”

Pierre de Blanchefort, French nobleman, diary entry, 1576

a) Describe one historical development illustrated by the passage.

b) Describe Blanchefort’s argument regarding war against the Protestants.

a) The document is written during the French wars of Religion where a predominantly catholic France is being pressured by a growing group of French protestants know as hugenots. Many of the French nobles had turned converted to Protestantism and were trying to make this the official religion, despite the fact that the king remained catholic. The date of the document tells us it happened during the reign of the Valois kings.

Explanation:

b) Blanchefort is clearly against the king declaring war on the protestants. He states that there has already been a lot of damage and suffering in the country due to these religious conflicts, and he mentions that the king should not be advised to pursue any actions that can lead to a civil war. Blanchefort refuses to sign the petition to go to war because he also feels it is "ungodly" and would not be sanctioned by God.