Patrick Bade
Catholic France from St Louis to Vichy: A Critical History
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Summary
Following the baptism of King Clovis I in 508 AD, France became the first nation to be fully converted to Christianity. Over the next 1500 years the history of the Catholic church in France was one of great cultural achievements and many dark moments, including the persecution of the Cathars, the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre, the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and shameful antisemitism during the Dreyfus affair and the Vichy regime in World War II. This lecture will trace the highs and lows of this torturous history.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.