ABSTRACT
The most urgent problem facing Henry at his accession was the situation in the Midi which had taken a dangerous turn as a result of Damville's defection. On 10 September 1574, the king issued a declaration 'concerning the return of his subjects to their obedience'. It was addressed to all provincial governors and 'good towns'. Henry almost certainly wanted a general pacification. On 10 October part of the latter's forces had been defeated by the duc de Guise at Dormans, but on 9 January 1576 more than 25,000 German troops invaded France, taking Henry completely by surprise. The defences of Paris were strengthened and an army assembled at Gien under his command. The king of France in the sixteenth century viewed his authority as 'absolute', for he believed that he had no superior save God whose lieutenant on earth he was deemed to be. His coronation or sacre was the ceremonial endorsement of that relationship.
