Wars of Religion (1562-98) conflicts in France between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The spread of French Calvinism persuaded the French ruler Catherine de Médicis to show more tolerance for the Huguenots, which angered the powerful Roman Catholic Guise family.
It’s (Roman Catholics) partisans massacred a Huguenot congregation at Vassy (1562), causing an uprising in the provinces.
Many inconclusive skirmishes followed, and compromises were reached in 1563, 1568 and 1570.
After the murder of the Huguenot leader Gaspard II de Coligny in the Massacre of Saint Bartholomew’s Day (1572), the the civil war resumed.
Hope this helps