Editing Edict of Nantes (section)

==Background==
The edict aimed primarily to end the longrunning French Wars of Religion.{{efn|A detailed chronological account of the negotiations that led to the Edict's promulgation has been offered by Janine Garrisson, ''L'Édit de Nantes: Chronique d'une paix attendue'' (Paris: Fayard) 1998.}}

King [[Henry IV of France|Henry IV]] also had personal reasons for supporting the edict. Prior to assuming the throne in 1589, he had espoused [[Protestantism]], and he remained sympathetic to the Protestant cause. It was widely believed that he converted to [[Catholicism]] in 1593 only to secure his position as king. The edict succeeded in restoring peace and internal unity to [[Kingdom of France|France]] but pleased neither party. Catholics rejected the apparent recognition of Protestantism as a permanent element in French society and still hoped to enforce religious uniformity. Protestants aspired to full parity with Catholics, which the edict did not provide. [[George A. Rothrock]] wrote : "Toleration in France was a royal notion, and the religious settlement was dependent upon the continued support of the crown".<ref name="Rothrock17">[[George A. Rothrock|George A. Rothrock Jr.]], "Some Aspects of Early Bourbon Policy toward the Huguenots" ''Church History'' '''29'''.1 (March 1960:17–24) p. 17.</ref>

Re-establishing royal authority in France required internal peace, which was based on limited toleration enforced by the crown. Since royal troops could not be everywhere, Huguenots needed to be granted strictly-limited possibilities of self-defense.<ref name="Rothrock17" />