The Surprise of Meaux-A French TL

On the 28th September 1567, at the Chateau of Montceaux near Meaux in the Brie, Charles IX and the royal family were taken by surprise. Louis, Prince of Conde, had surrounded the chateau with a mass of armed Protestants.

Despite the best efforts of the royal retinue, Conde's men prevented anyone from leaving. The weak and easily-persuaded King was told that there was a plot against him by unknown Italians, and thus this was for his own safety. His mother, Catherine de Medici, was not so easily convinced, but she was kept in a separate room. The Cent-Suisses, the royal bodyguard, were intercepted by Protestant troops and put to the sword. (1)

The news was passed swiftly to the Huguenot forces in the neighbouring areas. At nearby Meaux, a Huguenot stronghold, full freedom of religion was declared in the town. The Admiral de Coligny's men moved swiftly to take over the main roads to Paris to prevent communication.

(1) IOTL, the Surprise of Meaux just about failed.

Uh uh. The Fronde starts really early and the Catholic win?

In the most most extreme case, does this end in Habsburgia Universalis?

RGB said:

Uh uh. The Fronde starts really early and the Catholic win?

In the most most extreme case, does this end in Habsburgia Universalis?

Click to expand...

Serious civil disturbances will come, but not a Fronde or Habsburg domination yet.

Whilst Conde's men held the King and Catherine de Medici captive, Admiral Coligny had taken over all roads between Meaux and Paris. Further west, Huguenot messengers had reached Paris by the 30th September and warned the local Protestants to prepare for trouble.

In the castle itself, Charles IX and Catherine were being forced to agree to a new treaty, the Peace of Meaux. This would allow for the following:
-Full freedom of worship outside Paris.
-The granting of Meaux and a number of extra Southern towns as fortified Protestant towns.

Conde furthermore gave the royals a choice: Catherine de Medici to go into exile, or to be killed 'accidentally' by his troops.