Recommended

This week in Christian history: Bob Jones U interracial dating ban, John Wesley dies, Vassy Massacre

Massacre of Vassy – March 1, 1562

The massacre at Vassy (sometimes rendered Wassy), which took place in France in 1562.
The massacre at Vassy (sometimes rendered Wassy), which took place in France in 1562. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of the Massacre of Vassy (sometimes spelled Wassy), which involved a slaughter of French Protestants, also called Huguenots.

In January of 1562, France's Catholic monarchy issued an edict that gave a limited level of religious tolerance for its growing Protestant minority.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

Soon after, however, Catholic soldiers stormed a barn in Wassy where 300 Huguenots were worshipping. According to History.com, about 60 people were killed and about 100 were wounded. The massacre is credited with sparking the French Wars of Religion.

“For the Protestants, this attack appeared premeditated and the massacre is considered to be the beginning of the wars of religion,” explained the Virtual Museum of Protestantism.

“From the Catholics point of view, hostilities began with the attack on Orléans by Prince Louis of Condé, on the 2nd April 1562.”

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.