1-157-771 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Paris during the League (La Ligue), 1590 (19th century). Illustration based on pictures of the Procession of the League, 24 May 1590. It shows typical soldiers and civic guards armed with pikes and harquebuses, Papal Legate Cajetan, priests, monks, friars, and members of the bourgeoisie. The white crosses on hats are a reminder of the Massacre of St Bartholemew, in which thousands of Protestant Huguenots were killed in 1572. The Catholic League was formed by Henry of Guise during the French Wars of Religion. After Guise was assassinated in 1588, the League rose up against the king, Henry III. After a popular uprising forced the king to flee the city, the League held Paris, which was besieged by the king's forces and those of Henry of Navarre.