La Noue, François de (1531-91). Protestant nobleman and professional soldier who became one of the foremost advisors to Henri de Navarre (the future Henri IV). He was one of the few participants in the Wars of Religion to benefit from an almost universal reputation for virtuous conduct. He was once regarded as the probably author of a letter advising Henri de Navarre to abjure Protestantism; but his commitment to his religion (which he died trying to protect) was such that he is unlikely to have recommended this course of action. This did not prevent him, on the other hand, from making an eloquent plea for Protestants and Catholics to remember that they were all Christians and for a non-violent solution to be found. See his Discours politiques et militaires (1587), which is the work of a moralist with broad humanitarian sympathies.
[James Supple]
