Religious Management Under the Early Bourbons

Religious policy under the early Bourbons balanced competing imperatives: maintaining Catholic establishment while tolerating Protestant minority, asserting Gallican independence while avoiding papal rupture, promoting Tridentine reform while controlling its implementation. This complex balancing act largely succeeded in preventing religious conflict from undermining political stability.

Protestant policy evolved from Henry IV's tolerant Edict of Nantes through increasing restrictions under Louis XIII and Mazarin. Richelieu's separation of religious from political rights—destroying Protestant military power while maintaining worship rights—proved effective. Protestant loyalty during the Fronde demonstrated this policy's success. Though facing periodic persecution and steady conversion pressure, Protestants remained generally loyal subjects, their destruction awaiting Louis XIV's later folly.

Catholic reform, promoted by crown and implemented by new religious orders, transformed French Catholicism. The Company of the Blessed Sacrament, linking devout laymen with reform clergy, promoted moral reform and charitable works. New seminaries improved clerical education. Mystical movements, particularly at court, created intense religious atmosphere. Royal support for reform enhanced monarchical legitimacy while asserting control over implementation.

Gallican liberties' defense against ultramontane claims remained consistent royal policy. The Parlement of Paris enthusiastically supported royal prerogatives against papal authority. Episcopal appointments, effectively controlled by crown despite canonical forms, ensured loyal hierarchy. Conflicts over régale rights and other issues demonstrated royal determination to control French church while maintaining Catholic orthodoxy. This religious settlement, imperfect but functional, prevented confessional conflict from undermining absolutist construction.