Changes

The Huguenots, were perhaps the strongest faction in the country and they had a significant army and were supported by Charles I of England. Richelieu attempted to revoke many of the privileges that were granted to the Huguenots under the Edict of Nantes. This led to a rebellion and Richelieu besieged one of their main strongholds La Rochelle. This siege was personally directed by the Cardinal and he imitated the siege tactics of Alexander the Great to capture the strategic port. The Huguenots continued their rebellion but the Cardinal was implacable and the Royalist army defatted the French Protestants in battle.<ref> Levi, p. 113</ref> This forced the Huguenot leader to seek terms with the king. Richelieu adopted a conciliatory policy towards them was influenced by personal philosophy ‘First, all means to conciliate; failing that, all means to crush.’<ref> Richelieu, <i>Political Statement</i>. (1663), p. 13</ref> If the Huguenots had not obeyed the Cardinal’s will he would have waged a total war against them. Richelieu, eventually appointed the Huguenot leader to a senior position in the army and integrated some Huguenot soldiers into the Royal army. The Cardinal at the same time, under the Peace of Alais, the Protestants still had religious freedom but they were shorn of their military and political rights.