Editing Hubert Languet (section)

==Life==

Languet was born in 1518 in [[Vitteaux, France]], located {{convert|21|mi|km}} west of [[Dijon, France]].

He entered the [[University of Poitiers]] in order to study [[law]] but he was interested also in [[theology]], [[history]], and [[natural science|science]] and [[political science]]. He visited the universities of [[university of Padua|Padua]] and [[university of Bologna|Bologna]], and traveled in [[Italy]] and [[Spain]].

Languet was greatly influenced by [[Melanchthon]]'s ''Loci theologici,'' which put an end to his doubts. In 1549 Languet went to [[Wittenberg]], where he was kindly received by Melanchthon as a guest, frequently accompanying him on his travels and being on intimate terms with his friends. Expelled from France by the persecutions of the Protestants, he settled at Wittenberg, spending the winters there, but making extensive journeys in the summer and autumn.

In 1559 Languet, on the recommendation of Melanchthon, entered the service of the [[elector of Saxony]] as diplomatic agent, which position he held until 1577. The elector sent him to various courts: to [[Paris]], [[Vienna]], [[Prague]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Cologne]], and the [[Netherlands]].

As a friend of Melanchthon he opposed the growing party of strict Lutherans; but still he did everything in his power to reconcile the opposing parties, even trying to effect the recognition of the French [[Huguenot]]s at the diet of Frankfurt in 1562, but without success. In May 1561, Languet went to France in order to bring about a closer connection between the German princes and the French Protestants, and was present at the Religious [[Conference of Poissy]]. In 1562 Languet was in Antwerp; the following years were spent in diplomatic journeys to France and back to Saxony.

In 1571 the elector sent Languet together with the ambassadors of other Protestant princes of [[Germany]] to King [[Charles IX of France]] to congratulate him on the [[Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye|Peace of Saint Germain]]. On this occasion Languet advocated the equal recognition of both confessions, but the answer was the [[St Bartholomew's Day massacre]]; having narrowly escaped death, he left France in October 1572, and returned there only once more, shortly before his death.

From 1573 to 1576 Languet was at the court of [[Emperor Maximilian II]], whom he accompanied on his various journeys. With the death of Maximilian II in 1576 his connection with the court of Vienna was dissolved. The bitter feelings against him as the friend of Melanchthon and a [[Calvinism|Calvinist]] caused him to ask for dismissal from the court. The elector granted his desire, but continued his salary. In 1577 he went to Cologne in order to be nearer to the Netherlands, as he was greatly attracted by [[William I of Orange|William of Orange]].