The
territorial dowry of Marguerite passed to her brother Philip, afterwards
King of Spain (and father to the celebrated Charles the Fifth), who
died, aged twenty-eight. Marguerite then became Regent of Franche-Comte.
Under her rule, Protestantism made its first appearance in the
provinces. The peasants of Montbeliard, joining the German bands, made
raids upon religious houses. Charles the Fifth, on assuming the reins of
Government after his aunt Marguerite, continued her policy, and his
Keeper of the Seals, the princely Perronet de Granvelle, inaugurated at
Besancon, by his splendid patronage of arts and letters, what has justly
been called the "Golden Age of Franche-Comte."
XIII. Spanish Period, 1556-1674. Philip II., son of Charles the Fifth,
established the Inquisition in Franche-Comte. His reign was a long
series of calamities. Henry IV., King of France, marched a large army
into the country, but after levying contributions on Besancon, and the
smaller towns of the Jura, he signed a treaty, according neutrality to
the provinces, and retired (1595). Later, Richelieu sent three armies
respectively, into the Saone, the Doubs, and the Jura. St. Claude and
Pontarlier were burnt, and the inhabitants destroyed by fire and sword.
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