Catherine Ségurane: The Edict Of Nice In August 1543

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Following the china sacrament, France witnessed a significant shift in its religious landscape. On June 1, 1540, Francis issued the Edict of Fontainebleau, declaring Protestantism to be "high treason against God and mankind." The edict prescribed severe penalties, including death, public humiliation, loss of property, and torture, for those found guilty of practicing Protestantism. This marked a turning point as the state began to view Protestantism as a serious threat, leading to a harsh crackdown on religious dissent. The implementation of the Edict of Fontainebleau resulted in a wave of persecution against Protestants. Between 1541 and 1544, six printers or booksellers from Paris were tortured, and two were burned at the stake. The Sorbonne, …show more content…

When a hole was punched in the wall by the severe shelling from Barbarossa's galleys, French and Turkish forces poured through it, with a Turkish standard-bearer ready to hoist his flag atop the tower. However, Catherine Ségurane, a washerwoman from the area, snatched the flag and led a fierce counter-attack with a few courageous men she rallied. Despite causing 300 casualties among the invaders, formal capitulation was made by the city governor just seven days later, and Nice was subjected to fire and destruction over the next two days. Although Barbarossa and the Turks were blamed for the atrocity, it was clear that the French were also at fault. The Marquis de Vieilleville, in his memoirs, indicated that Barbarossa and the Saracens were not solely responsible. The blame was placed on Barbarossa to preserve France's and Christianity's honor and prestige, highlighting the complexities of assigning accountability in times of conflict. The siege and conquest of Nice marked the first and final combined action of the Franco-Turkish alliance. Despite astonishment at Christians battling alongside unbelievers, this event was just the beginning of their collaboration. Francis I, having no other option, invited Barbarossa to hold Toulon for the winter, provided that his fleet be rebuilt and revictualled. Barbarossa maintained strict discipline among his forces, which surprised the residents accustomed to hearing of Turkish crimes. However, the financial cost and the prolonged presence of Barbarossa's forces led to heavy taxation in Provence and surrounding territories. Barbarossa returned to Istanbul in April 1544 after completing his revictualling operations, which included ransacking five French ships in the harbor. It became evident that Barbarossa and his followers were badly overstaying their welcome in France,

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