French Protestantism, largely inspired by Martin Luther,…

French Protestantism, largely inspired by Martin Luther, now has its chief center in the Alsatian city of Strasbourg.

Protestantism spreads rapidly through the initial ambivalence of the French crown and the enthusiastic activities of preachers; by 1550, it may include among its converts as much as one-fourth of all Frenchmen.

The leadership of the movement is increasingly taken over by Jean Calvin, who dispatches teams of missionary preachers from Geneva into France, skirmishers in the coming French Wars of Religion that will rend the civil fabric of France until the end of the century.