Pretences of hatred: The accession of Henri IV seen by Sébastien Le Pelletier, priest, theologian, grammarian of the choir boys of chapter of Chartres from his original manuscript (1579-1592)
The priest, theologian, grammar teacher of choir boys of chapter Sébastien Le Pelletier was an eyewitness to a Catholic world in peril. In 1589, he started writing the history of Chartres and the surrounding area during the wars of the League. He lived daily near the cathedral, in the heart of the community of canons of Notre-Dame, protected by the cloister. He took care of the choir boys of Chartres. In this environment, he attended masses where the main inhabitants of the city thronged. He was in a privileged position to glean information. The chapter of Chartres was closely involved in the municipal government of the city. His lordship included a large part of the city. The canons were represented by reigning aldermen and deputies, both at townhouse meetings and at general assemblies. Le Pelletier gives a detailed description of the siege of the town by Henri IV’s army, the League’s resistance, and the firm taking in hand by the royal side. He also gives his impressions of his Calvinist adversaries and of the French king’s religious policy. Contained for a long time by memorable deeds of brave and prestigious defenders of the Catholic faith since the treacherously murdered hatred of the heretic was unleashed against Chartres in 1589. For fear of the destruction of his religion and of the desecration of his church, priest, theologian, grammar teacher of choir boys of chapter, Le Pelletier puts in writing what goes behind the schismatic policy of the King of Navarre, a policy similar to the earlier one of Henry VIII. Under an appearance of objectivity, the writing of Le Pelletier dissimulates a violent hate against heresy and its proponents.