Paul Delaroche’s Assassination of the Duke of Guise (1834)

Paul Delaroche (1797-1856) was a renowned French painter known for his dramatic depictions of historical events. Here we see his version of a pivotal moment from the French Wars of Religion that spanned the late 1500s.

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In 1588, the assassination of the Duke of Guise by King Henri III’s royal guard marked a dramatic turn in the French Wars of Religion. Guise, leader of the Catholic League, was perceived as a threat to the throne. His murder intensified the conflict, alienating Catholics and driving them to rally against Henri III.

This event exacerbated the violence and instability, leading to the King’s own assassination in 1589 and paving the way for Henry IV’s eventual rise and the Edict of Nantes, which sought to end religious strife by granting limited toleration to Huguenots.