AUDENARDE (Flanders) Wool and silk tapestry panel. The adjuration of Henri IV. In order to become King of France, and put an end to the Wars of Religion, Henri IV decided to solemnly abjure Protestantism on July 25, 1593, before the Archbishop of Bourges, Renaud de Beaune, in the Basilica of Saint-Denis. The future king converted to Catholicism and was baptized, before claiming his throne, of which he had been the legitimate heir since the death of Henri III in 1589. Pastel-toned border with birds, plants, flowering sprays and fruit compositions. Beautifully fresh colors. Borders brought in from the 19th century. At the beginning of 1593, after King Henri IV had already attempted two sieges of Paris, Charles de Mayenne convened the Estates General at the Château du Louvre to elect a Catholic king. King Philippe II favored his daughter, the infanta Claire Eugénie, but the Estates General rejected her election to the throne, thanks to the Salic law still in force on June 20, 1593. The Paris parliament, supporting Mayenne's election to the French throne, forbade Henri IV to be crowned without his authorization. In response, Renaud de Beaune, supported by his mistress Gabrielle d'Estrées, presided over the ceremony. Pope Clement VIII refused to convert him, as he still considered him a Protestant. When he entered the abbey church of Saint-Denis, there was a great silence, then the king walked up to Monseigneur de Beaune, archbishop of Bourges, who said: "Who are you? - I am the king! - What do you ask? - To be received into the bosom of the Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church." Restoration. Late 16th century Borders brought in from the 19th century. Size: 270 x 250 cm