The Advantages of Being Under Threat: Geneva and the Myth of the Escalade, December 1602
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Document Type
Lecture
Series/Event
Lecture
Abstract
On a cold and dark night in December 1602, the troops of Catholic Savoy staged a daring attempt to seize control of Protestant Geneva and restore it both to Catholicism and to the overlordship of Charles-Emmanuel, Duke of Savoy. This presentation will focus on the ways in which the Genevans used their retelling of the event as the linchpin in a very effective Europe-wide fund-raising campaign, chiefly designed to shore up Genevan defenses against possible future attacks. By portraying itself as a victim or near-victim of Catholic conspiracies, Geneva galvanized and united its population, successfully gained attention and sympathy from fellow Protestants across Europe, and hi ghlighted God's providential care of Geneva. This masterful myth-making exercise raised Geneva's profile at a time when its reputation was otherwise declining, and contributed significantly to Geneva's ongoing fame as the bastion of the Reformed faith. Co-sponsored by the Meeter Center for Calvin Studies.
Publication Date
4-20-2011
Recommended Citation
Maag, Karin, "The Advantages of Being Under Threat: Geneva and the Myth of the Escalade, December 1602" (2011). Conferences and Lectures. 1530.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/hh_av_conferences/1530