Huguenots

Huguenots, French Protestants, followers of John Calvin's teaching. The Huguenot movement originated in the 16th century as part of the Reformation and found support among all segments of French society, despite constant and severe persecution. Some respite was provided by Henry IV's Edict of Nantes (1598), but this was revoked in 1685, and many thousands of Huguenots were forced into exile in America and elsewhere. Full civil and religious liberty was not granted to Huguenots until 1789.

See also: Calvin, John.