On the 3rd of February 1576 Henry of Navarre escaped from Paris. Henry of Navarre’s escape from Paris is a tale of political intrigue, religious conflict, and remarkable cunning during a time of turmoil in France. Henry, a Protestant (Huguenot) leader and heir to the French throne, found himself in a dangerous situation in Paris, a Catholic stronghold, during the height of the French Wars of Religion. The city was dominated by the Catholic League, a militant faction opposed to the Protestant Reformation and determined to maintain Catholic dominance in France.
Henry had been in Paris as part of a tenuous truce between the Huguenots and Catholics. However, his position was precarious. The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572, in which thousands of Protestants were slaughtered in Paris and across France, had already demonstrated the intensity of religious hatred. Henry, newly married to Margaret of Valois (a Catholic), had narrowly escaped death during the massacre by ostensibly converting to Catholicism. Despite his conversion, his Protestant roots and leadership remained suspect in the eyes of the Catholic elite.
By 1576, tensions in Paris were rising, and Henry realized his life was in grave danger. The Catholic League’s influence over the French court and their hostility toward him left him with little choice but to flee. His escape required careful planning and extraordinary boldness. Disguised as a commoner and accompanied by a few loyal followers, Henry left Paris under cover of darkness.
Navigating through a city teeming with Catholic forces and spies, Henry relied on his knowledge of Paris’s layout and his ability to blend in with the populace. His charisma and adaptability were crucial, as he had to avoid arousing suspicion while passing through various checkpoints and neighborhoods controlled by hostile forces.
Once outside the city, Henry traveled quickly to join his Protestant allies in the south of France, where he could rally support and continue his fight for religious tolerance and political stability. His successful escape not only preserved his life but also cemented his reputation as a resourceful and determined leader.
Henry’s escape marked a turning point in his political career. Over the next two decades, he would navigate the complexities of French politics, eventually converting back to Catholicism to secure the throne as Henry IV. As king, he issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598, granting limited religious freedoms to Protestants and bringing a measure of peace to France. His escape from Paris in 1576 was a pivotal moment in his journey toward becoming one of France’s most celebrated monarchs.
King Henry IV is a key character in The Suggested Assassin, the third book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures.