May the mediator of God and men make of you
a mediator of priests and of the people.
Previously on Throne Wars.
(dramatic music)
In England, the Virgin Queen fell in love.
(laughs) Charming is he not.
But she refused to release her cousin,
former Queen of Scotland, Mary Stuart.
In France, the wars between the Protestants
and Catholics continued.
Your prince is offering me
the crown of the Netherlands for an army.
Henry III was a despised monarch.
Do not be fooled.
Remember my son, that you are the king.
The Protestant Henry of Navarre
fled the Louvre to form an army.
I'll do my utmost to make him see reason.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Guise was at the head
of the powerful Catholic League,
backed by the King of Spain.
Now the King of France was trying to save his throne.
His sister went to war.
His worst enemy was serving Spain.
In England the Queen was preparing
for the greatest sea battle of the Renaissance.
(men cheering)
All over Europe, plots were being hatched,
battles were taking shape
and royal blood was about to be spilt.
(somber music)
In France, after nine years of marriage,
the king and queen still had no children
and the kingdom had no heir.
The House of Valois had reigned over France
for more than two and a half centuries.
Desperate not to be the last Valois ruler of France,
King Henry III and Queen Louise of Lorraine
resorted to mysticism.
The King of France had a holy shirt sent from Chartres.
The shirt had been placed on a statue of the Virgin Mary
and was believed to have special powers of fertility.
Rumors circulated that Henry was more interested
in his mignon than his wife.
But the truth was, that driven by his faith
and his desire for a son, he spent most of his nights
with Queen Louise, hoping for a miracle.
(gentle music)
This is the Chateau of Chenonceau, in the Loire Valley
where Queen Louise of Lorraine and King Henry III
desperately tried to have a child.
Because his younger brother Francis of Anjou had died,
the legitimate heir to the throne was Henry of Bourbon,
King of Navarre.
But he was a Protestant and refused to convert.
For Catholic France, the prospect of the Protestant Navarre
wearing the crown was unthinkable.
(foreboding music)
My friends.
King Henry III knew the Catholic's position
and yet...
Today, I recognize the King of Navarre
as my only true heir.
He is a well born prince of good character
and I have always been well disposed to him.
Henry knew that Navarre refused to convert
but that did not stop him from officially recognizing him
as his successor to the throne of France.
That is all.
Henry's decision was the most devastating
blow for Catholics across France.
Particularly for the most radical among them,
34-year old Henry of Lorraine, the third Duke of Guise.
He had despised the French king for many years.
He cited Henry III's handling of the Huguenots
as proof of his weakness.
(suspenseful music)
(men mumbling)
To prevent Henry of Navarre from ever wearing
the French crown, the Duke of Guise immediately revived
the Catholic League, an organization
which was disbanded and outlawed seven years earlier.
Where our friends from the League are.
Guise amassed an army of 40,000 men
and was given a large sum of money from Spain.
(dramatic music)
Because not only was Guise the head of the Catholic League,
he was also a spy working for Philip II, King of Spain.
Guise and Philip had a common goal,
the triumph of the Catholic faith across Europe.
In a treaty signed with the Spaniards on January 17th, 1585,
Guise pledged to overthrow King Henry,
to seize power by force and to support
King Philip's war in the Netherlands.
(tense music)
In the spring of 1585 the Duke took action.
On March 20th, with 12,000 men,
he attacked Chalon, then Reims.
On April 3rd he was about to besiege Troyes.
Within months the League had won whole provinces,
including Champagne, Burgundy, Picardy and Normandy.
Almost all of the north and east of the kingdom
had been seized by the Guises and the Catholic League.
France had just been plunged into the last
of the eight wars of religion that marked the Renaissance.
(somber music)
Across the Channel, news of the alliance between Spain
and the fanatical Catholic League
struck fear into Queen Elizabeth.
Convinced that England was under threat,
she prepared her country's defenses.
It is time to take up arms again.
Sir Francis Drake, make the ships ready.
(dramatic music)
In June 1585, Elizabeth ordered a flotilla of ships
to attack a fleet of Spanish fisherman off Newfoundland.
In her fight against the Catholic coalition in Europe,
the English Queen was looking for allies.
In August 1585, Elizabeth signed a pact
with the Protestants in the Netherlands.
She also sent her ambassadors to meet with the Protestant
princes of Germany and Denmark.
Elizabeth was eager to form an international
Protestant League powerful enough to crush the King of Spain
and the Duke of Guise's Catholic League in France.
But no one in Europe dared to support the Protestant Queen
in her fight against the Catholics.
Elizabeth was alone against her French and Spanish enemies.
She prepared to face them.
In the south of France, at the court of Henry of Navarre,
the atmosphere was just as explosive.
The sister of the King of France and Navarre's wife
Margaret of Valois had left Paris to join him,
but there was a rift between the couple.
Adultery, betrayal and religious differences
had long poisoned their marriage.
But she had ambitions to the throne
because if Navarre was crowned, Margot would become queen.
It was a prospect that stirred up
the jealousy of another woman.
(light music)
Diane of Andouins was Navarre's mistress.
At 26, this young well bred and intelligent widow
was convinced that she would make
a far better queen than Margot.
But how to get rid of her rival?
At the court of Navarre, a rumor began to spread
that Henry and Diane were plotting to murder Margot.
When one of her ladies companions died after eating soup
that was intended for her.
(dramatic music)
Margot, fearing for her life, escaped to Agen,
a Catholic bastion she held in the southwest of France.
(intense music)
To take revenge on her Protestant husband and his mistress
Margot decided to join sides with the Duke of Guise
and the Catholic League.
King Henry III considered his sister's decision
an act of treason.
He sent royal soldiers to arrest her.
Enough of your excuses!
What do you want me to do with them?
Sir I--
But the Catholic League's military might
was far stronger than King Henry's royal army.
First the Duke of Guise, now my sister.
I am a figure of ridicule for everyone!
Margot and her allies had the upper hand
over the king's troops.
Soon I'll have to go to war.
Enough!
That's enough Henry.
There is no time for anger.
You have to negotiate peace.
Catherine de'Medici feared her son
would be overthrown if this war wasn't stopped immediately.
Me, oh me, oh what have I done to deserve such children?
Tell me!
Catherine begged Henry
to make peace with his sister Margot,
the Duke of Guise and the Catholic League.
(gentle music)
Preserved in the National Archives of Paris is the treaty
signed by the Duke of Guise and the King of France
on July 7th, 1585.
To satisfy the Catholic League,
tolerance of Protestant worship was canceled
and King Henry declared Protestantism
illegal throughout the kingdom.
(somber music)
Calvinists had six months
to either renounce their religion or be exiled.
And Henry of Navarre was declared
no longer heir to the throne.
In France, the Catholics were triumphant,
but 700 kilometers away, Mary, the Catholic Queen of Scots
was still languishing in an English prison.
(somber music)
For 17 years, Mary Stuart had been living
under lock and key.
On the run after being forced to abdicate
in favor of her son, she had taken refuge in England.
She had hoped to receive help from Queen Elizabeth,
but her cousin had imprisoned her.
Queen Elizabeth had always mistrusted her Catholic cousin.
After all, they were both descendants
of the Tudor King Henry VII, which meant Mary
had a legitimate claim to the English throne.
Since the Wars of Religion began 26 years earlier,
Mary had become an emblematic figure
for Catholics across Europe.
Your majesty, we must be done with Mary Stuart.
Elizabeth's advisors desperately wanted
to rid England of the threat posed
by Mary Stuart's presence.
Gentlemen, Europe is watching us.
There must be another solution.
Since Mary had been in prison,
Elizabeth's life had been threatened on several occasions.
But she refused to kill a fellow queen,
even if she was an enemy.
But Elizabeth had no qualms about making her detention
a hellish ordeal.
(foreboding music)
(Mary coughing)
Mary Stuart lived in deplorable conditions.
Chartley Castle was extremely cold and damp.
She lost all hope of ever being released
until the morning of July 6th, 1586.
(maid clearing throat)
That day, a letter was smuggled into her cell.
The author was Sir Antony Babington, a Catholic nobleman.
This is what it said,
My dear Sovereign,
the Queen to whom I owe my loyalty and obedience.
I am outraged by the miserable living conditions
you're subjected to.
The devilish heretic Elizabeth who removed your Majesty
from her home and placed her under surveillance
is my mortal enemy.
(suspenseful music)
Please write.
My Dear Friend, thank you for your letter.
Mary reflected on Babington's proposal
for a week, unsure of what to do.
She eventually replied,
asking her secretary to write in code.
Now, when all is ready the six gentlemen
must be set to work.
And when the Queen disappear
I must be taken from this prison immediately.
The coded message was hidden
in a barrel of beer and smuggled from the castle.
(foreboding music)
A new plot to assassinate Elizabeth
and crown Mary Stuart Queen of England had been hatched.
But what Mary Stuart did not know was that Elizabeth's
chief spy had infiltrated Anthony Babington's group.
It didn't take him long to decode
the former Queen of Scotland's message.
For several months, Elizabeth's spies
had been closely watching Babington's activities.
Hoping that Mary Stuart would involve herself in his plot.
Which is exactly what she did.
(foreboding music)
My Queen, this document proves
that your cousin is plotting against you.
Listen your Majesty, this act of treason
can only be punished by death.
Elizabeth was still reluctant
to condemn Mary Stuart to death.
Not only were they cousins, she also believed
that killing a Queen would give her enemies license
to kill her one day.
(tense music)
Three months after the plot was unmasked,
Elizabeth was told by her ministers
that the King of Spain was preparing an invasion force
to release Mary Stuart.
Elizabeth grudgingly signed Mary Stuart's death sentence.
(mournful music)
(Priest whispering)
After 19 years of imprisonment, Mary Stuart, the former
Queen of Scotland, was brought before her executioner.
Beneath her coat she was wearing a red dress,
a sign of martyrdom among Catholics.
With dignity, she climbed the scaffold specially erected
for her execution, within the castle walls.
(tense music)
(Mary praying in foreign language)
(gasping)
The execution of Mary Stuart was particularly cruel.
The executioner needed three attempts to behead
the former Queen of Scotland.
(intense music)
Mary Stuart's execution triggered a surge of fury
throughout Europe.
The most virulent reaction came from King Philip II.
The King of Spain resolved to invade England,
to imprison Elizabeth and to bring the country
back to the Catholic Church once and for all.
To this end, Philip II assembled
one of the largest military fleets of the Renaissance.
We could bring our own men here
and stop for the night.
His strategy was simple, while 130 warships
called the Invincible Armada engaged the English fleet,
300 smaller ships would transport 26,000 Spanish troops
from the Netherlands to Kent, on the south coast of England.
This imposing army would then march on London,
besiege the city and capture Elizabeth.
Philip was convinced that his plan was infallible
but he wanted to be sure that the French King Henry III
would not be tempted to come to Elizabeth's rescue.
So he asked his ally, the Duke of Guise to organize
a diversion, to occupy the King of France
during the invasion.
The Duke of Guise jumped at the opportunity
His plan was to first murder the Duke of Epernon,
King Henry's favorite and whom Guise despised.
Then, storm the Louvre and capture the king.
But Henry got wind of the plot,
and forbid the Duke to enter Paris.
(suspenseful music)
Despite this ban, on May 9th 1588, Guise
and the Catholic League triumphantly entered the capital.
(people cheering)
Henry was shocked at his subjects reaction to the incursion.
He immediately sent 4,000 royal soldiers to intimidate
the Duke of Guise and the Catholic League.
The Parisian's were outraged by the King's decision
to attack Catholics.
They set up barricades trapping the royal soldiers.
(gunshots banging)
And then shot at them from windows, roofs and balconies.
(somber music)
Soon, the dead and wounded were strewn throughout
the streets of the capital.
The uprising has been remembered in history
as the Day of the Barricades.
Henry III was blamed for the massacre
and forced to flee Paris.
He left the capital in the hands of the Duke of Guise
and the Catholic League.
The king was now helpless to prevent
the Spanish invasion of England.
The Invincible Armada was ready to set sail.
On July 12th 1588, 130 ships loaded with 18,000 soldiers
left the port of Lisbon.
A week later, they were spotted here,
off the coast of Cornwall.
On July 29th, 34 British warships left Plymouth
to confront the Spanish Armada.
At the same time, on the mainland Elizabeth of England
inspired her troops with the now famous Tilbury Speech.
I have resolved to live and die amongst you all.
I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman
but I have the heart and stomach of a king
and a king of England too.
(men cheering)
I should rather risk my royal blood
than incur dishonor.
I have no doubt that very shortly a famous victory
over the enemies of God and of my kingdom
shall be won gentlemen!
(men cheering)
For 12 days the British and Spanish engaged
in a brutal battle.
But the lighter and more maneuverable English gunships
overcame the heavy and slow armada.
(men cheering) (triumphant music)
Elizabeth had achieved the impossible
and vanquished the Spanish threat.
Throughout England and Protestant Europe
the English victory over the armada
was seen as proof of God's favor.
(speaking foreign language)
Protect us I beg you.
In Spain, the news came
10 days after the armada's defeat.
Sorry to disturb you, but the war is lost.
Listen, I sent my ships to fight men.
Not the winds and the waves of God.
I hope God did not allow such misfortune.
Indeed, all was done in his service.
Of the 130 ships sent to England,
only 60 made it back to Spain.
(light music)
The King of France and his mother were told the news
at the Chateau of Blois in the Loire valley.
They were relieved.
Henry III and Catherine had always believed
that once England had fallen, King Philip II
would turn his attack towards France.
The French kingdom may be out of immediate danger
but Henry still had to rid himself of the Duke of Guise
who, alongside the Catholic League, still held Paris.
(dramatic music)
On the morning of December 23rd, 1588
at the Chateau of Blois, Henry Duke of Guise
was summoned urgently by the King of France.
Sir! Sir!
A message has arrived.
On his way to the royal apartments
he was warned that the king had ordered his murder.
He will not dare.
(suspenseful music)
Gentlemen!
Mercy me!
But the king did dare.
Standing over the corpse of his enemy, French history books
attribute Henry with these famous words.
How tall he is.
He's taller dead than alive.
Isn't he?
Hm?
This is the room in the Chateau of Bloise
in which the Duke of Guise was assassinated.
It was unquestionably Henry III's greatest mistake.
Henceforth, no Catholic would recognize his authority.
The Pope even excommunicated him.
This time his mother Catherine de Medici
was powerless to help him.
(somber music)
Catherine had controlled the kingdom for 29 years
but now aged 69, she was suffering from gout,
rheumatism and pleurisy.
In early 1589, she was struck by an unrelenting fever.
On the morning of January 5th, she was so weak
that she asked her son to dictate her will.
Then at around one o'clock in the afternoon,
chaplain Julian of St. Germaine administered
Catherine de Medici the last rites.
(speaking foreign language)
(gentle music)
Catherine de Medici, mother of three kings
and two queens and the power behind the throne
for three decades passed away on January 5th, 1589,
at the Chateau of Blois.
Among the French citizenry, few wept her passing.
Most believed her responsible for the assassination
of their dear Duke of Guise.
The funeral of Catherine de Medici took place in Bloise
on February 4th, 1589 in a private ceremony
to widespread indifference.
In contrast, five days earlier on January 30th
the funeral of the Duke of Guise was held with great pomp
at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
That day, the people of Paris packed
into the crowded cathedral to mourn the Duke's passing.
Although he was dead,
Paris remained in the hands of the Catholics.
(dramatic music)
Henry III needed help to regain his sovereignty.
To take back his throne, King Henry III
turned to another Henry, his Protestant brother-in-law,
Henry, King of Navarre.
On April 30th, 1589.
Navarre.
The two Henrys, who had not seen each other
for 13 years were reconciled and joined forces.
Navarre was happy to finally enter the service of the king.
Four years ago, I was convicted as a heretic,
unworthy to succeed to the crown,
despite being it's fiercest defender.
I know my friend, but times have changed.
Catholic Henry III and Protestant leader
Henry of Navarre, amassed an immense army ready to challenge
the Catholic League who were still strong,
despite the death of the Duke of Guise.
While Navarre and his men set about re-taking
the city of Chinon, the Catholic League attacked Tours,
where King Henry had taken refuge.
The battle was bloody, but while the King lost many men,
the royal army, assisted by the Huguenots won the day.
The royal army and the Huguenot troops then seized
Senlis, Etampes and Pontoise.
On July 30th, strengthened by 40,000 men
Henry III and Navarre, prepared to surround Paris.
Navarre set up camp in Meudon to oversee the attack
and monitor the bridges leading to the capital.
Henry III waited in nearby Saint-Cloud.
On August 1st, 1589, at eight o'clock in the morning,
a young Jacobin monk arrived in the suburbs of Saint-Cloud.
The monk, named Jacques Clement claimed to have an important
message he needed to deliver to the king in person.
Ah, so, tell me brother, what is so important
that it cannot wait?
Henry III seated on his commode,
was reassured by Clement's clerical robes
and beckoned him to come closer.
Aargh!
My God!
Aah!
Jacques Clement was a fanatical member
of the Catholic League.
Villain.
You've killed me.
The monk resolved to kill the king
who he considered to be a heretic
for aligning himself with Henry of Navarre.
(Henry III groaning)
My dear friend, fear not.
Despite suffering a deep wound.
Henry believed he would survive.
Take good care of yourself.
No, no!
To reassure his wife and loyal supporters.
Henry spent the morning dictating letters.
But the blade had punctured his intestines
and his optimism was not shared by his doctors.
At 11 that night, his condition had worsened.
His thoughts turned to the succession.
He summoned Henry of Navarre.
Your Majesty.
You see my brother how my subjects treat me.
(coughing)
Guard well your own safety.
Justice and the principle of legitimacy require
that you succeed me.
You will know much misfortune, unless my dear
you resolve to change your religion.
(gasping)
Navarre did not answer.
King Henry then pronounced these words.
This is your king!
No one's right to the throne is greater
than that of the King of Navarre.
You have no one above him.
The kingdom is now his.
Waste no time with religious differences.
(melancholy music)
During the night, Henry's condition
deteriorated further.
(speaking foreign language)
The Lord is protecting you.
(whispering)
At three a.m. on August 2nd, 1589
after confessing...
(somber music)
Henry III, the last Valois king of France
died at the age of 37.
(emotional music)
With the death of Catherine de Medici's favorite son,
the entire house of Valois had died out.
This powerful dynasty which ascended
to the throne of France in 1328, had no heir.
Judged extravagant and arrogant, history remembers
Henry III as the least loved King of France.
Not for 20 years would he be transported to St. Denis
for internment in the royal necropolis of French kings.
But Henry was never given his own tomb,
only an urn for his heart, atop this column,
a gift from his long time favorite, the Duke of Epernon.
Navarre was now the legitimate heir to the throne of France.
But he was not yet king and few wanted to see him crowned.
In order to enter Paris which was still in the hands
of the Catholic League, Navarre sought the help
of Queen Elizabeth of England.
Over the next four years, Henry of Navarre,
helped by both Protestants and Catholic nobles
was forced to do battle with the Catholic League.
(men yelling)
My companions, God is with us!
Rally now to my white plume.
You will find it on the path to victory and honor.
(men cheering)
But on July 23rd, 1593,
here at the Abbey of St. Denis,
Henry of Navarre renounced Protestantism
and converted to Catholicism
in order to receive the crown of France.
He did so after uttering these famous words,
"Paris is well worth a mass."
Henry IV would become one of the most popular kings
in the history of France, but along the way
he too would have to tackle enemies across Europe.
The throne wars were far from over.