Tennessee: Local Huguenot chapter hosts national assembly

Marcia Guilbert joined the Huguenot Society of Tennessee almost 30 years ago and, for the first time, she and other local members get to play host to one of the society’s major gatherings.

“I think it’s very neat that we’re hosting the event,” said Mrs. Guilbert, referring to the National Mid-year General Council Assembly coming to Chattanooga this weekend. “It gives the local people a chance to meet the national officers and share thoughts and experiences.”

The assembly will be held Friday and Saturday. Mrs. Guilbert said organizers are expecting people from across the nation to attend, including about 18 of the society’s national general officers and their spouses as well as state members.

The Huguenots were French Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries were forced to flee the country because of religious persecution, according to the National Huguenot Society’s Web site. Initially, most went to Germany, the Netherlands and England, but a considerable number also migrated to North America, especially to the Carolinas, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

One objective of the organization is to preserve the memory and deeds of the Huguenots through activities to commemorate great events. The society also collects and preserves historical data and relics that illustrate the Huguenot life, manner and customs, and it promotes understanding for “the good and welfare of the United States,” according to the organization.

“I think it’s important to keep the society alive so people can know their family history and learn about their family many years back and appreciate all they did at that time,” said Sally Batts, former Huguenot Society state president and now genealogist for the organization.

Mrs. Guilbert said that, for her, the society also represents religious freedom.

“Everyone that has been persecuted realizes the importance of open-mindedness and appreciating the differences in people,” she said. “I think religious freedom is what the United States is all about.”

WHO WERE THE HUGUENOTS?

* The Huguenots were French Protestants, most of whom eventually came to follow the teachings of John Calvin and who, due to religious persecution, were forced to flee France to other countries in the 16th and 17th centuries.

* Most initially went to Germany, the Netherlands and England, although some found their way to places as remote as South Africa.

* Considerable numbers of Huguenots migrated to North America, especially to the Carolinas, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

* There are about 3,000 members nationwide, about 100 in Tennessee and 35 in the Chattanooga area.

Sources: National Huguenot Society Web site; Marcie Guilbert, state organization treasurer

IF YOU GO

* What: The Huguenot National Mid-year General Council Assembly

* When: 1 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. Saturday

* Where: Chattanooga Choo Choo on Friday; Lookout Mountain Fairyland Club, 1201 Fleetwood Drive, on Saturday

* Information: www.huguenot.netnation.com

it was interesting to trace the Huguenots history

In france, under Francis I, France was tolerant of all religious views

however, what did the Huguenots do? In the affair of the placards they posted placards all over Paris and even on the bedchamber door of the king (a security breach that angered him and made him change his tolerance position) -- these placards were attacks on Catholics.

So, instead of discussing, the Huguenots went to attack the Catholic majority who until then were content to let them live and debate and discuss and debate. Incidently, until this time the Huguenots were increasing, like the Moslems in Bradford, but then they started to get shrill and wake people up with their attacks

This polemic was an attack and the Huguenots started this retaliation.This was in 1534

Next, came the French wars of religion in which the Huguenots conspired against the King. This, added to the previous attack meant that they now publically came to attack the conservative forces. The progressives of the Huguenots were the precursors of the Revolutionaires

The people who became Huguenots were primarily the urban elite, like our present-day New Yorkers who take a fad and they saw that this was a means to oppose the King, so Huguenotism became a political tool

A group of Huguenots tried to kidnap the Prince Francis II when his father died -- causing more antagonism.

Huguenots in 1560 attacked Catholic Churchs and destroyed properties in Rouen and La Rochelle -- thus the FIRST salvo was lobbed by the Huguenots. -- the Catholics retailiated with mobs at seeing their places of worship attacked and defiled by Huguenots

Next, in 1562-70, we have the wars -- now political-religious, so no, it was not a simple case of "persecution" --> The Huguenots were one side of a civil war, which they lost

Now, let's come to the juicy part, the St. Bart's day massacre -- this occured in 1572, 40 years after the first provocations by the Huguenots and 12 years after they started destroying Catholic Churchs (just like the Moslems in America they were quiet until their numbers grew)

now, King Charles XI was openly in favor of the Huguenots -- so a political moment. Hence the attacks on the opposing side

So, let's see in conclusion -- Huguenots first start their provocations in 1534, then in 1560 start attacking Catholic Churchs (with no provocation), then start their political support against the conservatives and start a civil war. After 12 years their side loses the civil war and yet they are still allowed to live and practise their faith (note this is the 1500s, not a nice time, yet they get this tolerance) -- but they still play political intrigues. So, one faction starts to attack and massacre the other faction

It was a civil war and civil/political persecution more than anything -- the ruler realised that it made sense to have one religion only in his land, the same reason why in the same time Catholics were persecuted in England, Sweden etc. and if you go back to why Christians who thrived in Parthia/Persia before 300 AD where persecuted by Shapur II in c 300 AD (when the Emperor of Rome made Christianity a state religion, Shapur suddenly realised that 10-15% of his population was Christian, the same religion as his enemy Empire. He persecuted them until the Assyrian Church separated from orthodoxy.

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