Calvinists as Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? The Rebellion of the Camisards

By W. Gregory Monahan, Professor Emeritus of History at Eastern Oregon University

After offering some background on the difficulties and crises French Protestants faced in Catholic France during the 1600s, Dr. Monahan discussed the moment when they finally rebelled against Europe’s most powerful king, Louis XIV. Led not by pastors and ministers but by lay prophets who believed they heard the voice of the Holy Spirit, these rebels attacked churches, killed priests, and fought a guerilla war against the soldiers of the most powerful army in Europe for two years before they finally surrendered and accepted an amnesty. How did these people see themselves, and how did others see them? Were they terrorists? Freedom Fighters? Criminals? Really clever or crazy? All interesting questions to explore!