The Edict of Nantes was a decree issued in 1598 by King Henry IV of France that granted significant rights to the Protestant Huguenots in a predominantly Catholic country. It aimed to promote civil unity and end the religious conflicts that had plagued France for decades, particularly the French Wars of Religion. The edict allowed Huguenots to practice their religion freely and provided them with political and military rights. However, the Edict was revoked in 1685 by King Louis XIV, leading to renewed persecution of Huguenots and forcing many to flee France. This revocation marked a significant turning point in French history, as it intensified religious intolerance and diminished the influence of Protestantism in the country.