French Reformation
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Suspicion, distrust, and terror now pervaded all classes of society.
Amid the general alarm it was seen how deep a hold the Lutheran
teaching had gained upon the minds of men who stood highest for
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education, influence, and excellence of character. Positions of trust
and honor were suddenly found vacant. Artisans, printers, scholars,
professors in the universities, authors, and even courtiers, disappeared.
Hundreds fled from Paris, self-constituted exiles from their native
land, in many cases thus giving the first intimation that they favored
the reformed faith. The papists looked about them in amazement at
thought of the unsuspected heretics that had been tolerated among
them. Their rage spent itself upon the multitudes of humbler victims
who were within their power. The prisons were crowded, and the very
air seemed darkened with the smoke of burning piles, kindled for the
confessors of the gospel.
Francis I. had gloried in being a leader in the great movement for
the revival of learning which marked the opening of the sixteenth cen-
tury. He had delighted to gather at his court men of letters from every
country. To his love of learning and his contempt for the ignorance
and superstition of the monks was due, in part, at least, the degree of
toleration that had been granted to the reform. But, inspired with zeal
to stamp out heresy, this patron of learning issued an edict declaring
printing abolished all over France! Francis I. presents one among the
many examples on record showing that intellectual culture is not a
safeguard against religious intolerance and persecution.
France by a solemn and public ceremony was to commit herself
fully to the destruction of Protestantism. The priests demanded that
the affront offered to high Heaven in the condemnation of the mass, be
expiated in blood, and that the king, in behalf of his people, publicly
give his sanction to the dreadful work.
The 21st of January, 1535, was fixed upon for the awful ceremonial.
The superstitious fears and bigoted hatred of the whole nation had
been roused. Paris was thronged with the multitudes that from all the
surrounding country crowded her streets. The day was to be ushered in
by a vast and imposing procession. Along the line of march the houses
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were draped in mourning. At intervals altars were erected, and before
every door was a lighted torch in honor of the “holy sacrament.” Before
daybreak the procession formed, at the palace of the king. After the
crosses and banners of the parishes, came citizens, walking two and