 | Redoedo (39)
04/04/2004 |  Henry IV was a bold and courageous man who did much to achieve peace and prosperity in France. When Henry IV, a Protestant, was declared king in 1589, France was in the midst of social turmoil that stemmed for religious differences. Previous Catholic monarchs had ruthlessly persecuted Protestants, who they saw as inferior. The Catholic League, the group largely responsible for encouraging and carrying out years of Protestant persecution, hated the idea of a Protestant king in power. Aided with support from many French officials and Spanish military aid, the Catholic League successfully forced Henry IV to flee. Soon thereafter, Henry decided to retake his kingdom by force. He achieved several important military victories, but was unable to recapture Paris. The decision that Henry IV then made can only be described as a brilliant one that was made with the interests of his kingdom at heart. Henry IV decided that it was foolish to engage in a bloody and costly war over religious differences, and converted to Catholicism, thus winning the hearts and minds of those he had once called his enemies. Once back in power, Henry IV issued an official edict proclaiming tolerance of all Protestant practices and beliefs. This was indeed a prudent move that brought religious peace to France and allowed the monarch and the government to focus on France's more pressing needs. As the religious conflicts simmered down, Henry IV initiated a series of infrastructure upgrades that brought unprecedented economic and social prosperity to France. Henry IV encouraged the development of the arts, reorganized and stabilized France's financial system, promoted agriculture and encouraged education. He was a great stewardsman, protecting hundreds of acres of forests from destruction. The construction of highways and roads that he initiated centralized the Kingdom of France and provided a much-needed boost to the French economy. With a more efficient system of travel, the French economy thrived. Henry IV's prosperous reign came to an end when he was assassinated by a fanatic in 1610. Beloved by all his people for bringing peace and prosperity to France, his death was mourned by many. He was a man of courage and prudence who brought about peace and prosperity that benefited all the subjects of France.
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