Lacked key hallmarks of a
nation state in the 16th century;
no defined boundaries,
language, legal unity or sense
of nationhood
Codification of legal system
under Barme and Baillet
commissioned by Louis XII
Gaining of territories such as Brittany starts to create
hexagonal shape of France however few people
consider themselves French. Local dialects and
different languages are spoken despite gradual
advance of French in legal and academic circles
Concordat of Bologna 1516
Gave Francis unprecedented
control over the French Church
Acquisition of Brittany 1532
Through Louis XII's marriage to Anne of
Brittany 1482
Codification on law began under Louis
XII but customary laws still existed in the
south of France and local traditions and
privileges continued to be upheld
Edict of Villers Cotterets 1539
Primarily to reform judicial system but
also stated that all legal documents
were to be written in French
Edict of January 1562
Proclaimed limited but crucial legal rights to Huguentos
French Wars of Religion exacerbated
particularism and undermined
centralisation, religious developments
undermined national unity and divided the
nation at political and social levels. Foreign
intervention in the wars of religion also
undermine nation state
St Bartholomew's Day Massacre 1572
Catholic League
receive Spanish aid
1584
Between 1562-98 religious
concerns and loyalties took
precedence over any sense of
national identity
Henry IV declared war on
Spain 1595
By the end of the period France was still
way off from becoming a nation state.
The concept of national identity did not
emerge until the eighteenth century. It
could be argued that the peace and
stability brought through Henry IV's
reign laid the foundations for further
progress
Edict of Nantes 1598
Creates Huguenot
state in the Midi
region and aimed to
establish peace