Remembering France's Heritage: Martyrs of the Great Expiation

January 21, 1535 was the day appointed by Francis I, King of France, for the “Great Expiation” in Paris. The King, under the influence of the Roman Church, desired to make expiation for the “sin” committed by the Reformed (Protestants) on the Nuit des Placards (night of pamphlets--October 23, 1534) two months previous. On that night the Protestant believers in France had scattered pamphlets in defense of their beliefs all over France— even leaving one on the King’s bedroom door!

Part of the King’s expiation included the burning of six Christian men. The first of these men, Nicholas Valeton, was led to the site of his doom on Rue St. Honore along with his books, in order that they might be burned with him. His hands were tied to a rope which was suspended to a long, horizontal beam, which had been constructed so that it could swing the body of its victim out over the fire.

The priest, urging him to recant, said to him, “We have the universal Church with us; out of it there is no salvation; return to it; your faith is destroying you.”

Valeton courageously replied, “I believe only what the prophets and apostles preached, and all the company of saints have believed.”

Upon his refusal to recant, the beam which held Valeton was raised into the air, forcing his arms to sustain the weight of his entire body. The beam was craned around until Valeton was positioned directly over the pile of timber, which was then set aflame, and the beam was dropped forcing his body directly into the flames. Almost immediately they raised him again into the air, and then again dropped the beam, causing the sufferer to crash once again into the fire. This terrible sport was renewed again and again, until finally the cord caught fire, and the knot was burned. When at last Valeton’s body found a resting place in the blaze, it was speedily consumed. The other five suffered in similar manner.

Where did all this persecution of law-abiding, God-fearing, Christ-loving citizens leave the country? It is not insignificant that it was on this very day (January 21) in 1793 that the last of the French kings, Louis XVI, was beheaded by an angry mob in this same city. These God-fearing Huguenot citizens had been the most loyal supporters of the Bourbon kings, but they had been systematically destroyed and expelled. During his greatest hour of need, Louis XVI discovered too late that he had obliterated his last remaining hope of aid. All sin has its consequences, even though they may seem slow in coming.