Arms Control in the Valentinois-Diois during the French Wars of Religion

This essay analyzes on the nexus between arms control and religious tolerance during the French Wars of Religion. As part of the peace process, royal and provincial authorities attempted to implement arms control measures on French subjects irrespective of confessional allegiance during the 1560s, b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Sixteenth century journal Vol. 55; no. 1-2; pp. 171 - 193
Main Author TenHulzen, Joseph
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Chicago University of Chicago Press 01.03.2024
Subjects
16th century
Arms control & disarmament
French history
Power
Religious beliefs
Religious wars
Tolerance
Weapons
France
Valence France
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Summary:This essay analyzes on the nexus between arms control and religious tolerance during the French Wars of Religion. As part of the peace process, royal and provincial authorities attempted to implement arms control measures on French subjects irrespective of confessional allegiance during the 1560s, before arms control mutated into a tool of confessional hegemony from the 1570s onwards. To support this observation, the Valentinois-Diois region of southeastern France serves as the geographical focus for this analysis. Although authorities in the region could never remove all illicit weapons, they carried out royal legislation on arms control with vigor to promote peace. The situation changed as repeated warfare in the region, starting in 1567, prompted many communities to abandon measures of religious tolerance, including biconfessional arms control. Henceforth, arms prohibitions reflected local religious power dynamics, whereby only those of the majority confession could legally possess arms for local defense.
ISSN:0361-0160
2326-0726
DOI:10.1086/731061