Ricardolindo
Banned
Francis I of France was initially sympathetic to Protestantism. Could he have converted to it? If so, what consequences would it have?
Francis I of France was initially sympathetic to Protestantism. Could he have converted to it? If so, what consequences would it have?
Well, he was more tolerant towards it than actually sympathetic, but let's say he warms up to it and converts to Luther's theology in the early 30's. Well... I imagine he gets a poision in his cup and Henri II is under a Catholic regency and tutored away from the heresy. There's not enough support in France proper for a real push to get Protestantism into the state institution for it to overcome the power of the Catholic Church, and he'd be more or less standing alone as a Heretic monarch while the Habsburgs have knives pointed at him from all sides.
If there is no Concordat of Bologna (1516) it may be possible. That agreement gave him a lot of power over the church in France, and thus made the appeal of Protestantism less.
Also, did Henry VIII have enough support in England for his reformation?
Another point that could be made is the fact that England, being located on, y'know, an Island, probably helped Henry VIII in mantaining the Anglicanism, as it would be fairly tougher to invade across the Chanel, while France, would not have so easy of a go, being the center of the French Wars of Religion and being located on the continent and between the domains of the most catholic dynasty of Europe, so, if Francis I tried to convert to Protestantism, it is very likely that the Thirty Years War would have a prequel on France, as the catholics on the nation and the Hapsburgs would jump in the idea of ending the protestant ruleHenry didn't change all that much doctrinally - he was a national Catholic, not a Lutheran. The proper protestantising of Anglicanism began under Edward VI.
Also, Henry did have at least some support, but a lot of resistance as well.
Another point that could be made is the fact that England, being located on, y'know, an Island, probably helped Henry VIII in mantaining the Anglicanism, as it would be fairly tougher to invade across the Chanel, while France, would not have so easy of a go, being the center of the French Wars of Religion and being located on the continent and between the domains of the most catholic dynasty of Europe, so, if Francis I tried to convert to Protestantism, it is very likely that the Thirty Years War would have a prequel on France, as the catholics on the nation and the Hapsburgs would jump in the idea of ending the protestant rule
Another point that could be made is the fact that England, being located on, y'know, an Island, probably helped Henry VIII in mantaining the Anglicanism, as it would be fairly tougher to invade across the Chanel, while France, would not have so easy of a go, being the center of the French Wars of Religion and being located on the continent and between the domains of the most catholic dynasty of Europe, so, if Francis I tried to convert to Protestantism, it is very likely that the Thirty Years War would have a prequel on France, as the catholics on the nation and the Hapsburgs would jump in the idea of ending the protestant rule
I don't think that is too likely. Charles V has his hands full in his own empire and Italy. He tried to prevent Protestantism spreading in places under his control but left other countries alone.
Philip II might want to invade France but that would be later on (possibly too late).
Ok I have to give you that, but still have the feeling something will go the wrong turn for Francis I and the protestants in France.The Wars of Religion started after the death of Francis II so during the reign of Francis I France hardly was a "center" of them. Now, while formally France was, indeed, surrounded by the territories controlled or ruled by the Hapsburgs, in a reality by the time of the French Wars of Religion Protestantism in Germany grew quite strong and Huguenots had been received military help from the German Protestants on a regular basis. In OTL by the time when the Wars of Religion started approximately 30% (IIRC) of the French nobility (and quite a few regions) turned to Protestantism so if this happens few decades earlier Francis may have enough of a support to keep nation united, providing his overall religion policy is accommodating to the Catholics. An assumption that all Catholics would automatically turn against him is somewhat extreme: the Wars of Religion happened when the kings were demonstrably weak, which gave an opening for the party leaders to play a disproportionally great role. But after the death of Henry III quite a few prominent Catholic figures (like Marshal Biron) immediately pledged their loyalty to a Protestant heir of the throne.
Actually, if by some miracle conversion is happening without the major unrest, military situation could slightly change to the better for Francis because the landsknechts were predominantly Protestants and in that scenario their imperial loyalties may (or may not) be at least partially balanced by the religious ones. The same goes for the Protestant princes of the HRE who could use a powerful French ally to make life of Charles V much more interesting.
Ok I have to give you that, but still have the feeling something will go the wrong turn for Francis I and the protestants in France.