Charles de Clermont
Encyclopedia
Charles de Clermont, called la Fontaine, was a Protestant preacher who was active in La Rochelle
in 1557.
The arrival of Charles de Clermont followed a period of repression against Calvinist propagation, through the establishment of "Cours présidiaux" tribunals by Henry II
. An early result was the burning at the stake of two "heretics" in front of the Church of Notre-Dame de Cougne in 1552. Conversions to Calvinism however continued, due to religious beliefs, but also to a desire for political independence on the part of the local elite, and a popular opposition to royal expenses and requisitions in the building projects to fortify the coast against the English.
Charles de Clermont was the first to give cohension to the Reformation
movement in La Rochelle, which only consisted in a few isolated elements, with no Pastor or Temple, when he arrived in the city. He was assisted by Jean de la Place, and it was in 1557 that "the truth of the Gospel began to be exercised in the right". Charles de Clermont founded a group of about 50 souls that met in clandestinity.
Charles de Clermont was succeeded in 1558 by Pierre Richier
returning from Brazil
, who organized the congregation. He became the first Pastor of La Rochelle and is considered as "the Father of the Church of La Rochelle".
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
in 1557.
The arrival of Charles de Clermont followed a period of repression against Calvinist propagation, through the establishment of "Cours présidiaux" tribunals by Henry II
Henry II of France
Henry II was King of France from 31 March 1547 until his death in 1559.-Early years:Henry was born in the royal Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, the son of Francis I and Claude, Duchess of Brittany .His father was captured at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 by his sworn enemy,...
. An early result was the burning at the stake of two "heretics" in front of the Church of Notre-Dame de Cougne in 1552. Conversions to Calvinism however continued, due to religious beliefs, but also to a desire for political independence on the part of the local elite, and a popular opposition to royal expenses and requisitions in the building projects to fortify the coast against the English.
Charles de Clermont was the first to give cohension to the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
movement in La Rochelle, which only consisted in a few isolated elements, with no Pastor or Temple, when he arrived in the city. He was assisted by Jean de la Place, and it was in 1557 that "the truth of the Gospel began to be exercised in the right". Charles de Clermont founded a group of about 50 souls that met in clandestinity.
Charles de Clermont was succeeded in 1558 by Pierre Richier
Pierre Richier
Pierre Richier, also Pierre Richer, dit de Lisle, was a French Calvinist theologian, who accompanied Philippe de Corguilleray on a French expedition to Brazil in 1556, to reinforce the colony of France Antarctique. He was a member of a contingent of 14 Calvinist people dispatched from Geneva...
returning from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, who organized the congregation. He became the first Pastor of La Rochelle and is considered as "the Father of the Church of La Rochelle".