French Catholics persecuted Huguenots (French Protestants) unmercifully for years. Finally, a law (the Edict of Nantes) was passed giving the Huguenots religious freedoms.

During the 17th century, those rights eroded. The formality of the Edict was ultimately revoked in 1685. About 400,000 Huguenots left France. Many came to America. Before that happened, though, they endured mass slaughter - like the massacre of Huguenots at Sens, Burgundy in 1562.

Huguenots equally dispensed death and torture when they were in control. History records "frightful outrages" perpetrated by the Huguenots in France.

England certainly was not free from religious persecution. After Henry VIII closed the monasteries, life became very difficult for priests. In 1643, Protestant authorities seized a praying Jesuit priest in Yorkshire, beat him severely and imprisoned him. He died of his injuries.