Book Description

Sutherland (retired, history, U. of London, Royal Holloway, UK) has written an impressively complete account of the complex history of religious issues during the reign of Henry IV of France. The chapters, which are organized around political events and issues, detail the intrigue and conflict between Catholic and Protestant in France before and after Henry is made king. In painstaking detail, the volumes discuss the Huguenots, the Catholic League, the role of the popes, the Civil War, Henry's conversion and the problems that resulted, and his rule of absolutism. The ceremony of Henry's conversion and Henry's relationship with Rome receive special attention. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).