A quick outline
1621 - A decree for the restitution of church property in the south throws the Bearnese and Gascons into open revolt lead by Henri, duc de Rohan.
1622 - The
Treaty of Montpellier (or the
Peace of Montpellier) is signed on
October 18 between King
Louis XIII of France and
Duke Henry II of Rohan. The treaty ended hostilities between French royalists and the
Huguenots. Moreover, it confirmed the tenets of the
Edict of Nantes, pardoned Henry II, and
allowed the Huguenots to maintain their numerous forts and garrisons.
1625 -
Benjamin de Rohan, duc de Soubise conducts a bold attack on the Royalist fleet in the river
Blavet (which included the cutting of a boom in the face of superior numbers) and the occupation of
Oleron.
Fearing a repeal of the Edict of Nantes, joined with the aristocratic fear of the increasing centralization of power in Paris, revolt flares from Brittanty to Languedoc and the Rohan brothers gain English support.
The rebels had received the backing of the English king
Charles I, who sent his favourite
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham with a fleet of 80 ships. In June 1627 Buckingham organised a landing on the nearby
island of Ré with 6,000 men in order to help the Huguenots.
1627 - La Rochelle is besieged by Royalists after a exchange of cannon fire.
Soubise leads the defense while his brother begins and offensive toward Paris as an opportunistic distraction.
King Louis XIII hastily attempts to block this movement near Orleans, only to be mortally wounded by cannon fire while Cardinal Richelieu is captured by a Huguenot cavalry attack on the rear of the Royalist army.
Shortly after, Buckingham attempts to relieve La Rochelle. While the assault succeeds against the demoralized Royalists, Buckingham is shot in the process and dies a Protestant martyr.
1628 - Paris refuses to open its gate to the victorious Protestants.
Gaston Jean-Baptiste, Duke of Orléans, leads the defeated royal army back to the capital, but in a astounding coup, proclaims himself Lord Protector of a sort of noble republic (as he is last of the royal line) and invites the Huguenots to treat with him and join the government.
Later that year, Richelieu dies under mysterious circumstance (most likely poisoned by Gaston's order.
1629 - The Republic confirms the virtual autonomy of the Huguenot brevets in the West and South. The Estates General is reopened, including both Catholic and Protestant clergy, but ends in plans to soon have Gaston crowned King, lest Spain and England take advantage of the current government's seeming weakness.
I'll do the English part when I can, but that brings us up to the French republic part. Input is more than welcome.