Edict of Nantes, the,
An edict promulgated by Henry IV. of France, which gave toleration to the Protestants in feuds, civil and religious, and ended the religious wars of the country. It was published April 13, 1598, and was confirmed by Louis XIII. in 1610, after the murder of his father; also by Louis XIV. in 1652; but it was revoked by him, Oct. 22, 1685. It was a great state blunder, for it deprived France of 500,000 of her best citizens, who fled into Germany, England, and America, and gave those countries the riches that flow from industry, skill, and sobriety. They took with them to England the art of silk-weaving, and so gave France an important rival in that branch of industry.