Featured anniversary | 13 April 1598

The Edict of Nantes ends France’s wars of religion

on 13 April 1598, Henry signed the Edict of Nantes, in that city of the Loire region. The 92-article edict, which decreed civil unity and religious toleration on both sides, succeeded at least partly in restoring religious harmony and bringing an end to the bloodshed. By its terms, Huguenots would be free to worship publicly, but only in 200 specifically named towns and on land owned by Huguenots.