“Capituler” with your king to defend his “seureté” French Protestants and their sovereign to the test of civil wars (1560s-1570s)

The civil wars between Catholics and Protestants in France gave rise to a debate on the legitimacy of political decision-making. On the Protestant side, the fear of massacre, the public affirmation of their faith and the ambition to convince the prince led to negotiations in a political relationship close to a contract, a “capitulation” with the sovereign. This process is associated with monarchomach literature, but it reflects even more a reflection on the political balance of the monarchy.