File:The story of the greatest nations, from the dawn of history to the twentieth century - a comprehensive history, founded upon the leading authorities, including a complete chronology of the world, and (14586893477).jpg

Identifier: greatestnations05elli (find matches)
Title: The story of the greatest nations, from the dawn of history to the twentieth century : a comprehensive history, founded upon the leading authorities, including a complete chronology of the world, and a pronouncing vocabulary of each nation
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors: Ellis, Edward Sylvester, 1840-1916 Horne, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1870-1942
Subjects: World history
Publisher: New York : F.R. Niglutsch
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
rrendered before this indomitable man. Themole was completed, the harbor blocked. Twice the English ships tried to force their way through the narrow open-ing that remained. Twice they were beaten back, King Louis and Richelieufighting side by side among the French troops upon the barrier. In simplephysical courage, it would be hard to say which one of them was the braver.At last the English fleet sailed away in despair, and the real grim siege began. The brave Rochellois had sworn to slay the first man who suggested sur-render. They turned their non-combatants out of the city, but Richelieu drovethem back to starve under the walls. For fifteen months Rochelle held out,and when it surrendered, more than half of its people had died. Of the sur-vivors less than a hundred and fifty were still capable of bearing arms. It wasa city of death. In another year Richelieu, still acting as his own general, had completelycrushed the Huguenot strength through all southern France. Then, having con-
Text Appearing After Image:
By Permission of Brauu, Cltuitut ^ Cu. THE BATTLE OF ROCROI France—Richelieu and the Huguenots 883 quered, he granted them generous terms. The fortifications of Rochelle andother Protestant cities were destroyed, but the Edict of Nantes remained thelaw. This was a noteworthy step in civilizaiton. A Catholic Cardinal allowedProtestants to worship in their own way—not because they could compel theright with their swords, but solely from his own sense of justice and wisdom.Every means of persuasion was indeed employed to win the Huguenots back tothe ancient faith; and by degrees most of the gentry adopted it. Richelieus second great object, the breaking of the power of the nobles, heaccomplished with an iron hand. All the strong castles, the last remnants offeudalism, were destroyed by royal order. Great lords who had indulged intheir popular pastime of rebellion, or even in the ignoring of lesser laws, werenot pardoned and given honors and estates; they were hanged, a mode of treat-

Note About Images