1 84 Readings in European Hist07y The Catholic worship to be everywhere restored. Huguenots not to be annoyed. Extent to which Protes- tant services are to be tolerated. troubles, remain obliterated and forgotten, as if no such things had ever happened. III. We ordain that the Catholic Apostolic and Roman religion shall be restored and reestablished in all places and localities of this our kingdom and countries subject to our sway, where the exercise of the same has been interrupted, in order that it may be peaceably and freely exercised, with- out any trouble or hindrance ; forbidding very expressly all persons, of whatsoever estate, quality, or condition, from troubling, molesting, or disturbing ecclesiastics in the cele- bration of divine service, in the enjoyment or collection- of tithes, fruits, or revenues of their benefices, and all other rights and dues belonging to them ; and that all those who during the troubles have taken possession of churches, houses, goods or revenues, belonging to the said ecclesiastics, shall surrender to them entire possession and peaceable enjoyment of such rights, liberties, and sureties as they had before they were deprived of them. VI. And in order to leave no occasion for troubles or differences between our subjects, we have permitted, and herewith permit, those of the said religion called Reformed 1 to live and abide in all the cities and places of this our kingdom and countries of our sway, without being annoyed, molested, or compelled to do anything in the matter of religion contrary to their consciences, . . . upon condition that they comport themselves in other respects according to that which is contained in this our present edict. VII. It is permitted to all lords, gentlemen, and other persons making profession of the said religion called Reformed, holding the right of high justice [or a certain feudal tenure], to exercise the said religion in their houses. 1 This official designation for Protestantism in France — namely, "the religion called the Reformed" {Religion pretendue refor?nee) — was in no way insulting to the Huguenots, as some Protestant writers have supposed. Pretendre commonly means "claim " or " allege " rather than " pretend." Henry IV, as king of a Catholic country, could go no farther in referring to the Huguenots than to call them the religious party which followed what they alleged or claimed to be a reformed Christianity.
