Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Picture of Catherine de'Medici and Charles IX signing the peace | |
| Signed | 8 August 1570 |
|---|---|
| Location | Saint-Germain-en-Laye |
| Signatories | Charles IX of France Gaspard II de Coligny Jeanne d'Albret |
| Languages | French |
The Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was signed on 8 August 1570 by Charles IX of France, Gaspard II de Coligny and Jeanne d'Albret, to end the third war (1568-70) of the French Wars of Religion.
The Peace went much further than the March 1568 Peace of Longjumeau by establishing specific rights and responsibilities for French Protestants, generally known as Huguenots. Freedom of worship was permitted in two towns per gouvernment, while the Huguenots were allowed to maintain armed garrisons in four towns for a period of two years, after which they had to be returned to Royal control. However, the civil war resumed in 1572 after the targeted assassination of Huguenot leaders assembled in Paris spiralled into the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre.